By Dr. Myriam Glémaud, Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Dr. Myriam Glémaud is a licensed clinical psychologist and public health professional dedicated to advancing access to compassionate, integrated behavioral health care. As FoundCare’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer, she leads the organization’s behavioral health strategy, ensuring patients receive coordinated mental and physical health services that support whole‑person wellness.
As a behavioral health provider, I often remind patients that mental health is not separate from physical health, it is an essential part of it. It affects how we sleep, make decisions, handle stress, manage chronic conditions, and feel in our relationships. Just like checking your blood pressure or going to a yearly physical, checking in with your mental well‑being should be routine, not something we wait to do until we’re in crisis.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself one simple question:
“How am I really doing?”
Signs It Might Be Time to Check In
Mental health challenges don’t always feel dramatic. Often, they show up slowly and quietly. You may notice:
- Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or on edge most days
- Changes in mood, motivation, or patience
- Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Feeling emotionally drained or disconnected
- Pulling away from people or activities you once enjoyed
These signs are not failures. They’re signals, just like pain or fatigue, that your mind may need care.
Why Getting Support Early Matters
Many patients share the same reflection with me: “I wish I had come in sooner.”
Early support can help you:
- Understand what’s driving stress or emotional strain
- Learn practical coping tools
- Improve sleep, energy, and focus
- Strengthen emotional balance and resilience
- Better manage physical health conditions
Mental health care isn’t only for emergencies. It’s also about prevention, learning skills, and staying well.
Mental and Physical Health Are Connected
Stress, anxiety, and depression can make conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure harder to manage. At the same time, living with chronic illness can take an emotional toll.
That’s why integrated care matters.
At FoundCare, behavioral health providers work alongside primary care teams, so patients receive coordinated, holistic care, because treating one without the other is never enough.
Simple, Everyday Ways to Support Your Mental Well‑Being
Small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference:
- Check in with yourself daily: “How am I feeling today?”
- Protect your sleep by keeping a regular routine
- Move your body in ways that feel realistic and safe
- Take brief moments to breathe, pause, or ground yourself
- Set limits around stress where you can
- Talk openly with a healthcare provider during routine visits
If emotional stress starts interfering with work, relationships, or daily life, that’s a sign to reach out for support.
Asking for Help Is a Strength
Stigma still keeps many people from seeking care. Cultural expectations or the belief that you should “handle it alone” can be strong — but they’re not helpful.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, insight, and self‑respect.
Mental health challenges are common, and they are treatable. When one person seeks care, it helps normalize support for families and communities as a whole.
FoundCare Is Here for You
At FoundCare, we provide compassionate, respectful behavioral health care designed to meet patients where they are. You do not have to navigate emotional challenges alone.
