This Mental Health Month, explore advice from Veterans to Veterans

When facing a big, intimidating project, sometimes it’s easier to break it down into smaller tasks. Especially when those tasks build on each other until the goal is achieved. That approach can also work for improving your mental health.

That’s why for Mental Health Month, VA is encouraging Veterans to take One Step Today from a list of 10 ideas – for Veterans, from Veterans – that have helped many others improve their well-being.

The list includes activities that can help Veterans move toward a better future – starting today. Among the suggestions are exploring creativity, learning to forgive, and opening up about how you’re feeling.

No matter how big or small, One Step Today can lead to meaningful, long-term change.

Stories from Veterans who put ideas into action

Each of the 10 ideas highlights resources and information about a variety of concerns, from trouble sleeping and stress to other signs and symptoms of mental health challenges. They also feature inspiring stories from Veterans who put one or more of the ideas into action while benefiting from professional mental health care to improve their lives.

“When you have other Veterans who have been through the same things you’ve been through, and who have dealt with them in all different kinds of ways, it helps you in immeasurable ways,” explains Daniel, a Marine Corps Veteran.

A better place to deal with mental health challenges

Every day provides a new opportunity for Veterans to enrich their lives while boosting their mood and self-esteem. Those results can put them in a better place to deal with mental health challenges – either on their own or with support from VA, their families and friends, members of the community and health care providers.

This May, VA encourages everyone to visit MakeTheConnection.net/MHM to hear advice from Veterans for Veterans and their loved ones about overcoming many common mental health challenges. By starting with just One Step Today, you can advance toward a healthier tomorrow.

Dr. David Caroll is executive director of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.