How Do Psychoeducational Groups Help With Setting Mental Health Goals?

Whether we realize it or not, every day we set goals, including mental health goals. Mental health goals are anything you set your mind to. Sometimes these are the mundane, daily tasks we do because we instinctively know they have to be done. Other times goals are overt lists of objectives that we set for ourselves over and above our routine chores. Setting overt goals has a positive effect on our mental health, especially when we accomplish what we start. It makes us feel good to know that we set and reached a goal.

When in treatment and recovery from substance use, setting goals is important and acts as a measure for us to track our progress. One of the ways we can set realistic goals is by listening to the people around us and letting them hold us accountable to meet our aims. This is one reason why group therapy is so important in addiction counseling. Being able to draw from the wisdom of diverse voices around us is a powerful tool. It helps us to hold ourselves accountable by sharing our progress with others and gives others encouragement on their own recovery journeys.

The Role of Daily Mindfulness in Mental Wellness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as the comprehensive emotional, social, and psychological well-being of the individual. Mental health plays a large role in our ability to adapt to changing circumstances throughout our lifespans.

Still, mental health, like physical health, can be fragile. Just as we can become physically ill when we encounter a virus, we can also experience mental sickness as a result of challenging life circumstances. If we work on our mental fitness, however, we can also stave off mental illness.

One way to accomplish this is by practicing mindfulness. This may include writing down the things we are grateful for or meditating on the beauty of the world. Connecting to our world in a peaceful way is a good way to bolster mental health. 

Making a To-Do List of Mental Health Goals

The best time to start a mental health routine is now. We start an exercise routine when we are healthy so we can optimize our physical health. Likewise, starting a mental health routine can also bolster and sustain our mental wellness. 

For those in treatment and recovery for substance use disorder (SUD), starting a good mental health routine may seem a bit like climbing a mountain. However, the important thing is to start small and work toward the goal at the peak of the climb.

Making a mental health to-do list is a good start. It may include a few things at first, but the list can grow over time. Accomplishing our goals is the most important task. It helps us to organize our thoughts by writing our goals down, spending time being mindful, and changing the way we think about mental health. 

Learning Your Needs With Daily Check-Ins

Doing daily check-ins for our mental health is another way we can prioritize our well-being, especially in treatment and recovery. Check-ins help us to prioritize our personal needs, which helps us to bolster our mental health. 

One way to do this is by creating a mental health journal. Each day, you can write about your emotional, social, and psychological health. Sharing your findings with others in a group will allow you to receive valuable feedback, create a positive mindset, and encourage the use of self-care routines. 

Different Types of Mental Health Goals

As we have discussed, group therapy and interventions are a great setting in which to fix your goals and receive feedback. In both intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP), group therapies play an important role. Whether your treatment plan at Alter Wellness Care includes a residency stay or an outpatient program, attending groups is an important part of your therapy plan. 

Finding Your Healing and Growth in Groups

Group therapy is a proven and effective way to treat addiction. These settings allow for a great amount of personal growth and cathartic healing. In groups, we can share our experiences with others who know exactly what we are going through. 

Alter Wellness Care’s treatment options encourage these social approaches to healing in their various programs. Each of our programs provides clients with a supportive and engaging environment. 

In group therapy, the client engages with others and is encouraged to think about their experiences. Participants will take turns sharing their thoughts and emotions, listening to others, and offering their own wisdom. It is in the collective experiences of others that group therapy helps us thrive. 

How Groups Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Psychoeducational interventions are an important part of healing from substance use. The term psychoeducation refers to the therapeutic intervention that gives the client and others information and support to better cope with their illness. This information may come from the shared, collective wisdom and perspectives of the group members acting as a whole. Additionally, it may also come from the group leader or therapist guiding the discussion.

Setting and achieving tasks is easier when we have people around us who support our goals and lift us up. The best people to support us are those who love us and those who have walked in our shoes.

Every day you set goals whether you realize it or not. Accomplishing everyday chores are just as fulfilling as accomplishing the big goals you set for your life. Whether you are struggling in your mental health or are in a good place mentally, keeping your goals in mind and figuring out how to achieve them can bring you the mental strength to persevere each day. In addiction treatment, goal setting can help you to reach your target of returning to full health. Setting goals in group therapy can help you accomplish them by holding yourself accountable to your peers. To find out more about your options, call Alter Wellness Care at (866) 311-3510.