Smart Mental Health Goals for 2024 As 2023 ends and we start the new year, many of us find ourselves setting goals around our mental health. Taking time to set goals to improve our mental wellbeing challenges us to find the challenges we are facing as well as tap into our strengths that will help support our goals. Mental health goals could be anything ranging from managing your anxiety to getting back into a self-care practice. Whatever goal you are setting, the acronym SMART can help you create goals that are much more likely to be successful. S (Specific) – Your goal should be narrow enough that you have a clear sense of what it means and what accomplishing it might look like. A goal such as “practice more self-care” is great but consider what that might mean or ways that you can clarify what “self-care” might mean to you. M (Measurable) – Whatever your goal is, find some way to quantify it. This can make it easier for you to tell when you have accomplished your goal as well as see the progress towards the goal. Progress and being able to measure the goal is going to help you stay motivated. A (Achievable) – Is your goal realistic for you? It is important that you create goals that are outside your comfort zone but goals that do not feel overwhelming or unreachable with where you are now. If you never take time for yourself, setting a goal of 30 minutes of alone time everyday may not be a good starting point. Small steps are the best way to get to your goals. R (Relevant) – Take time to consider if this goal will help you make progress towards where you would like to be. Good goals are directly tied to what we hope to achieve in the long-term. T (Timed) – Create a deadline for yourself. Deadlines can help us stay accountable and focused. Make sure the deadline is realistic for you and, for goals that make take longer, set smaller deadlines along the way. Making a SMART goal can help you have a clearer roadmap towards achieving them and help give you a stronger sense of commitment and motivation. If you or someone you know is struggling and could use some support setting and pursuing goals for their mental health, help is available. Mental health professionals can support you – whatever your goals are. Human Trafficking Awareness Day (1/11/2024) January 11th, 2024 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Modern human trafficking disproportionately affects women and, globally, it is estimated that 20 to 40 million people are enslaved. Knowing the red flags and risk factors can help save lives. Individuals who have an unstable living situation, are struggling with addiction, have previous history of abuse, are undocumented, or facing poverty are all at an increased risk. Red flags for potential trafficking situations include:- Job offers that appear too good to be true
- Signs of physical abuse (bruises, scars, burns, etc.)
- A new relationship with significant difference in age or financial status
- Withdrawal from other social supports and activities
- The individual appears to be coached or cannot speak freely
If you see or suspect indicators that someone you know may be in danger of trafficking, help is available. Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker. The National Human Trafficking Helpline is available 24/7/365. It is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to helping victims of trafficking. They can be reached by calling 888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733) or, if there is immediate danger, call 911. | 
