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    Health and Wellness
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to provide you with the contact number for 
behavioral health service. 
• Explore online resources:
Explore online resources: If you are 
interested in broadening the search for a 
mental health professional, there are online 
resources to help you find the best match. 
• United States: psychologytoday.com 
• Canada: canada.ca/en/public-health/ 
   topics/mental-health-wellness.html 
• U.K.: nhs.uk/mental-health 
When making your decision, it is important 
to determine if there are any limitations on 
the number of authorized sessions covered by 
insurance and if both in-person and virtual 
sessions are included. This information should 
be shared with the mental health professional 
to facilitate time-sensitive goals and treatment 
plan options. 
There are also options for paying out of 
pocket for mental health services if insurance 
coverage is not available. 
Include a psychiatrist 
In addition to working with a therapist, it 
may also be advised that you work with a 
psychiatrist, the member of your healthcare 
team that will manage any medications you 
are prescribed for your mental health (also 
referred to as psychotropic medications). 
It can be challenging to find the right 
medication regimen; a psychiatrist can help 
identify the most effective treatment plan for 
you. If, at any time, you feel the prescribed 
regimen is not working, it is important to 
communicate with the prescribing physician, 
as adjustments can be made. If you have already 
been prescribed medication to treat depression, 
anxiety, or other mood disorders, you may 
experience periods that are significantly more 
challenging than usual. During these times, a 
psychiatrist may recommend a temporary 
change in your medication regimen to help 
you cope with increased stressors.  
Generally, the most effective treatment for 
mental health diagnoses is a combination of 
medication and talk therapy; finding the right 
combination will take time. Psychotropic 
medications can take several weeks to reach 
their full effect, so it may be some time before 
you notice changes in your mood. Similarly, 
finding the right therapist can take time, and 
it is absolutely reasonable to explore other 
options if one therapist is not the right fit for 
you. Investing in your emotional wellbeing is 
a critical component of your overall health 
and wellness. Dedicate the effort needed to 
find the best treatment plan for you. 
For some, seeking help from a mental 
health professional may carry a negative 
stigma, implying that something is "wrong" 
with them. However, this view is outdated. We 
now understand that actively managing one's 
mental health can be a source of empowerment, 
fostering self-confidence, mitigating feelings 
of anger, frustration, disappointment, and grief, 
and reinforcing one's sense of self-worth. 
Your mental health is an integral part of 
your overall health and wellbeing. Strengthen 
your support by building a medical community 
that optimizes your quality of life. You matter, 
and so does your mental health.
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