Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! Since 1949, the month of May has been dedicated to promoting public knowledge of the realities of mental illness across the United States (National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)). Needless to say, this critical topic deserves our awareness 365 days a year, but focusing public attention on mental health during a specific time allows us to keep it at the forefront of our thoughts. Rightly so! Although our society has come a long way since 1949, mental health conditions are still prevalent and widely misunderstood.
Maybe you’re facing an unexpected pregnancy and struggling with your mental health at the same time (as though either of these wasn’t difficult enough on its own). Perhaps you have a mental illness that’s been identified by a mental health professional. Perhaps you don’t. Your mental health challenges may relate to your brain chemistry, your circumstances (including but not limited to your pregnancy), or all of the above. No matter where you find yourself today, help and hope are available!
If you’re coping with an unexpected pregnancy and mental health concerns at the same time, you’re likely feeling really discouraged right now. It’s undoubtedly been difficult to look toward the future with optimism. Although this may be hard to see, it really is possible to step into the days ahead with courage and ultimately discover a positive outcome to both these journeys. Avenue Women’s Center is here to help you accomplish this. We’re a limited medical clinic and first-step pregnancy center with multiple locations in Chicagoland, Illinois. We provide vital early pregnancy support to individuals facing circumstances like yours, while assisting them with getting their holistic needs met.
Learn more about our free and confidential first-step pregnancy services at Avenue!
A Word About Mental Health Conditions
Mental illnesses and mental health conditions can be complex and extremely diverse. Causes and treatment methods vary significantly. The symptoms you might be coping with as a human being who’s reading this blog would be too numerous to name. But one thing is definitely true for anyone who’s struggling with their mental health: It’s really important not to push these feelings down or aside. Acknowledge your emotions and get support right away! Talk to someone caring and trustworthy. It may be that connecting with a qualified mental health professional would be the best way to get help and access tools to meet your unique mental health needs.
*If you’re having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, call 911 right away. You can also reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.
How Can Avenue Women’s Center Help?
Avenue Women’s Center can support you by providing free first-step pregnancy services, equipping you to navigate the diverse challenges of your unexpected pregnancy. We offer the following services with professional excellence and unconditional compassion.
- Medical-grade pregnancy tests. These are provided at no cost, so you can get the initial clarity you need to take your next steps.
- Limited medical ultrasounds. A scan can provide critical information about a pregnancy, like where it’s located, the likelihood of miscarriage, and the gestational age. This information would influence which abortion method(s) are available to you (if that’s an option you’re considering), and whether you would need to seek additional medical attention right away.
- Pregnancy consultations. Our expert staff at Avenue is committed to providing accurate, non-biased information on all your pregnancy options (abortion, adoption, and parenting). We’re also here to help you learn about the various resources available in your community. We respect your autonomy completely and are dedicated to offering ongoing emotional support no matter what decision you make. As your decision-making process continues, please consider that any pregnancy outcome will have unique implications on your mental health.
*Avenue Women’s Center is not a professional counseling center. Our team is composed of expert pregnancy consultants and nurses who recognize the critical importance of maintaining mental well-being while facing an unexpected pregnancy, or any other difficult situation in life. We believe that getting reliable information and emotional support are two highly effective ways to cope with stress, and that this contributes to improved mental wellness. Avenue offers referrals for counseling services.
A healthy approach to managing an unexpected pregnancy is to get informed, but to receive that information from a dependable source, in a safe and calming environment. We aim to provide this kind of experience for every person who connects with us at Avenue Women’s Center. It’s our sincere hope that the quality of our pregnancy services and the care of our amazing staff will bring you closer to discovering peace of mind in this challenging season of your life.
Check out our website and reach out to schedule an appointment today!
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Reference:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Mental Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.