January is Mental Wellness Month! This is an excellent time to look at Crestwood’s Pillars of Recovery and how they contribute to our overall mental wellbeing.

Hope: When it comes to our mental wellness, Hope is essential. Sometimes, we must hold Hope for our family, friends and the people we serve. And sometimes, others hold Hope for us. Hope can show up as a powerful force or a gentle whisper. It is the presence of Hope that influences our perspective. When we can look for the positive and feel confident of a bright future, Hope abounds, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Meaningful Roles: Our relationships and connections matter to our mental health. Think of all the roles you fill in your family, with your friends, at your workplace, and in your community. Feeling that our roles are meaningful makes a difference. When we recognize the impact our presence makes, our relationships grow stronger and our mental wellbeing thrives.

Empowerment: When life’s challenges feel overwhelming, it can be empowering to take personal responsibility for our mental wellbeing. Turning to tools like our WRAP daily maintenance plan, DBT skills or CRM resources, we can influence how we react to difficult situations. When we take personal responsibility for our actions and respectfully advocate for our needs, we empower ourselves and establish a healthy mindset.

Spirituality: Our mental wellness is closely linked to our spiritual wellness. Spirituality invites us to connect to things like the present moment, a higher power, nature or the universe, offering a space for contemplation, thankfulness, and reflection. When we prioritize gratitude, prayer, or a connection to something outside of ourselves, we foster a healthy Spirituality which in turn influences our mental wellbeing.

Which of these Pillars of Recovery do you want to focus on during Mental Wellness Month?

As we turn our calendars to January 1, we find ourselves with a blank canvas before us, and we can hardly wait to paint some big bold strokes with our brush. As we color our year with activities, trips, hobbies, volunteering, celebrations and events, let’s not forget to add in some self-care. As we think about the year ahead – all 365 days – what do we envision for ourselves? What would you like to color your year with?

• Green: hope, growth, flourishing
• Blue: healing, inner peace, serenity
• Yellow: joy, laughter, wellbeing
• Purple: friendship, thoughtfulness, generosity
• Orange: adventure, inquisitiveness, excitement
• Red: compassion, kindness, gratitude

As you select your color palette, reflect on your hopes and dreams, your passions, and your values. Let the blank canvas of a new year inspire within you opportunities for personal growth. Let your creative expression flow as your painting takes shape throughout the course of the year. By the end of 2026, we will each have a unique and meaningful work of art.