"Are Car Accidents and Mental Health Check-Ups More Similar Than We Think?"

You’ve been in an accident. Your vehicle is totaled but you have no cuts, no breaks, and no bleeding. There are no visible signs of injury. However, when the first responders arrive and see the severity of the damage to your vehicle, they strongly suggest that you be taken to the hospital to “get checked out” but your response is, “I’m Okay.”

The next day, you feel really sore, stiff, and some general discomfort. Someone who cares about you mentions the possibility of a concussion, injury to internal organs, or soft tissue injuries and begs you to go “get checked out.” You replay the details of the accident which helps you to justify your discomfort as a normal response to what happened, so you say “I’m Okay” and keep it moving.

On the following day, you are now in unbearable pain and you succumb. You arrive at the emergency room and describe the progression of your symptoms to the doctors and what question do you think they ask? Yes, Why didn’t you come get checked out?

Trauma is a puzzling phenomenon. We can go through the motions of life and feel we’re okay. There are no visible signs of injury so we conclude we’re okay. But trauma always impacts to some degree. Just because the injury isn’t visible at the point of impact doesn’t mean there wasn’t trauma or injury that could manifest itself later.

If you’re constantly in survival mode, feeling stuck, exhausted, fearful, and unable to enjoy life, please “get checked out.” With proper support, despite the hardships, challenges, and adversities it’s possible to get on a path of wellness.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take a moment to honor all the mental health professionals; psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, social workers, art therapists, counselors, and others who provide supports to help improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of those we love so dearly.