Addressing Mental Health Crisis: Co-Regulation As a Solution

There is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals in our healthcare system. Unfortunately, individuals cannot afford the cost of care or people are denied access due to a lack of medical insurance. Mental health problems are escalating because of the limited availability and high costs of therapy. Even though these challenges are not physical, they are very significant and are often overlooked. Mental health issues are causing public health threats in communities such as suicide, violence, and mass shootings. These health threats stem from human disconnection due to social, psychological, and physical separation from others. Therefore, it drives up anxiety, depression, stress, suicide, loneliness, violence, isolation, and poor therapeutic outcomes. These public health threats are taking people’s lives and lowering average life expectancy in the United States because individuals are dying prematurely. A healthcare strategy that can help reduce human disconnection, mental health issues, and public health threats is co-regulation.

Health co-regulation is a positive way of dealing with difficult challenges in life such as social and health issues. This efficient and effective method helps people naturally restore coherence in their polyvagal nerves, and lower susceptibility to problems like chronic anxiety, depression, burnout, isolation, stress, loneliness, injury, and illness. Individuals can utilize this methodology regularly as a supplement to psychotherapy. Co-regulation is a powerful and accessible solution to safeguarding and improving people’s health and well-being. The art of co-regulation is best learned from a health coach, so the more it is practiced the better it works.

People impacted by this invisible, public health threat can get help from Healing Support Circles, an online health education and support program designed to help adults struggling with psychosocial disconnection-related challenges like anxiety and loneliness. They also train Public Health Advocates to help alleviate the growing mental health crisis.

Co-regulation is not a replacement for qualified mental health professionals, but this basic training can help individuals learn how to overcome many social, emotional, and physical health issues. As a result, people will be able to enjoy and appreciate life more, learn some essential ways to protect and improve psychological health and help their families and community. Problems in life can seem overwhelming, but there are proven solutions, so we can care for our own mental health challenges without a therapist if one is unavailable. More information can be found at https://healingsupportcircles.org/kelley