Resource Center supports mental wellness

||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER |||

As we begin 2025, January—designated as Mental Wellness Month—presents an ideal opportunity to focus on our emotional health. After the holiday season’s whirlwind, this natural pause allows us to turn our attention inward. While we often prioritize physical health, nurturing our mental well-being deserves equal attention.

Many assume mental wellness means maintaining constant happiness, but true emotional health encompasses much more. As humans, we naturally experience a spectrum of feelings—from joy to sadness, excitement to fear. Rather than suppressing these emotions, wellness means acknowledging and understanding our full emotional range.

Sometimes, maintaining emotional equilibrium requires professional guidance. The Community Wellness Program (CWP), offered through the collaboration of San Juan County, the Orcas Community Resource Center and a team of eight contracted therapists, makes mental healthcare accessible through low-cost counseling services for qualifying uninsured or under-insured Orcas Island residents. The program offers up to 12 sessions with copayments on a sliding scale, ensuring financial circumstances don’t prevent anyone from seeking help.

The Resource Center provides additional support through:

• Mental health and substance abuse referrals

• Assistance with health insurance applications

• Connection to specialized care and treatment options

This Mental Wellness Month, consider taking steps toward better emotional health. Whether through professional counseling, personal self-care practices, or mindfulness techniques, investing in your mental well-being can enhance resilience, reduce stress, and create a more balanced life.

Want to learn more? Contact the Orcas Community Resource Center (orcascrc.org) to discover how their programs and services can support your journey toward improved mental health. Your well-being matters, and resources are available right here in our community to help you thrive.