January, National Mental Wellness Month, brings fresh starts, cold mornings, and a reminder that mental health struggles seem to pop up as often as winter sniffles in the United States. You might notice how casually people talk about feeling overwhelmed, almost like it’s just part of daily life. But when something painful becomes so normal that people stop seeking help, it raises real concerns about how we prioritize mental health in America.
The 2024 Mental Health America report paints a clear picture of what many people are facing:
- Millions of people live under strain. Around 60 million adults in the U.S. live with mental illness, helping explain why emotional challenges feel so widespread.
- Suicide risks remain high. In 2022, suicide reached its highest rate in recorded history in the U.S.
- Cost and blocked access continue to push people away. In 2024, 1 in 4 adults who needed mental health support couldn’t see a provider due to barriers like distance or pricing.
- Insurance doesn’t always cover care. About 10% of adults with private insurance didn’t have mental health coverage in 2024.
- Providers feel stretched. In the U.S., there’s roughly one mental health provider per 340 people, which can complicate getting help when you need it most.
For the time being, Iowa ranks lower among states that offer accessible mental health support, so care can feel harder to find. Thankfully, St. Gregory Recovery Center can step in, offering mental health services for clients dealing with substance use disorder (SUD).
Let’s walk you through the lessons Mental Wellness Month offers: where the country’s mental health stands, and what you can do for your well-being in recovery.
The Need for Mental Health Wellness Month
January encourages us to rethink the way we approach mental health. One of the campaign’s biggest goals centers around lowering the stigma barrier. Mental health stigma happens when negative beliefs or assumptions convince someone that their struggles degrade or even fully negate their worth and ability to seek help.
Stigma can pop up as self-blame, judgmental comments from others, or policies that make life harder for people with mental health conditions.
- Certain minority groups can face unfair rules or limitations, adding to the feeling of exclusion or even danger when trying to seek help.
- Others deal with judgment from their communities that stops them from following through with care.
- Some internalize stigmatized messages around care and illness and start believing them, preventing them from ever admitting they have a problem in the first place.
Over time, stigma can absolutely delay treatment or push someone to give up completely, even when support might be the solution. That’s why January can be an opportunity to start chipping away at stigma in simple ways:
- Create supportive environments. Encourage workplaces, schools, and community spaces to adopt mental-health–friendly habits that offer more comfort and flexibility.
- Lead with empathy. When you respond to someone’s struggles with patience instead of assumptions, you could help them feel less alone.
- Build real connections. Talking with people who live with mental health conditions can soften stereotypes and deepen understanding.
- Keep conversations open. Casual conversations about mental health can make it easier for people to be honest about what they’re feeling.
These small efforts align with the heart of Mental Wellness Month: educating yourself, understanding the landscape of care in places like St. Gregory Recovery Center, and recognizing that seeking support is never shameful.
Prioritize Your Mental Health This Winter
If you’re dealing with SUD, winter might amplify the emotional weight you already carry. St. Gregory Recovery Center provides residential treatment in Bayard, outpatient options, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), giving you a place to steady yourself and feel supported all year round.
Once you take that step, you can build routines that help you navigate recovery with more confidence and care.
- Simple self-care and restorative rest. You might try a short gratitude note in the morning, or find a creative outlet to give your mind a break during peak stress. A calming nighttime routine could also help your mind slow down, helping you fall asleep and wake up feeling steadier.
- Goals that feel realistic. Pick one or two things you genuinely believe you can accomplish, like attending all your support group meetings for the week or practicing one coping skill each day.
- Mindfulness you can use anywhere. Breathing exercises or grounding moments may help you through sudden cravings, especially during unpredictable days in early recovery.
- Movement that boosts your mood. A quick walk, light stretching, or dancing around your room may gently lift your energy and help you reconnect with your body.
- Less screen overwhelm. Setting small limits on scrolling may ease the anxious buzz that often follows too much online noise.
- Care from a trauma-informed team. St. Gregory offers outpatient programs like Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) in Des Moines, where you can receive therapy and support while continuing your daily responsibilities.
Enter 2026 With Hope in Iowa
Research shows that millions of adults in the U.S. have successfully resolved substance use challenges in their lifetime. You can join them, and this could be the year you remind yourself that stigma and past struggles never define you. Carve out a fresh start with St. Gregory today.
