The Impact of Separation & Divorce on Mental Health

Bell Let’s Talk day is coming up this January 25, where Canadian organizations and people from all over the world join the cause to create an important conversation about mental health.
For over thirteen years, Bell has set out to tackle the stigma around mental illness by encouraging people to embrace open communication around their own mental health and reach out to friends and family who may be struggling.

The World Health Organization acknowledges that mental health conditions are increasing worldwide and that these conditions can substantially affect all areas of life.

The two most common mental health conditions are depression and anxiety. Since divorce is one of the most stressful events one can experience, it is unsurprising that many people experience an increase in depression and anxiety during separation and following divorce.

As separation lawyers in Calgary, we understand how mental illness can impact parties going through a divorce. Here are four tips for maintaining your mental health during a separation.

Create Healthy Habits

Breakups are challenging because they can mess with our comfortable spaces and routine. But consider taking this time to find new healthy outlets and make positive adjustments to your lifestyle.

Depression and anxiety can cause individuals to lose interest in their hobbies, ignore responsibilities and retreat inwards while struggling. While it may be challenging to continue your everyday routines, setting small goals to help increase your mental health can help you feel better and stay on track. Attainable goals such as setting a schedule for yourself to run errands, doing x number of chores each day, eating something healthy at each meal, or finding new hobbies can help keep you productive and manage stress.

Avoid Relying on Substances to Numb the Pain

Drugs and alcohol may numb the pain temporarily, but they can highly worsen mental health symptoms and create more significant issues down the road!

Any separation lawyer in Calgary knows how hard it can be for someone to sit alone with their thoughts, but relying on these unhealthy habits can be very harmful. Many resources are available to you if you find yourself struggling with addiction.

Never be afraid to reach out for help.

Be with Friends and Family

Surround yourself with people who are supportive and can empathize with your situation. Going out to see a friend or a family member you feel comfortable talking to and who is willing to lend you a shoulder to lean on can go a long way. If you need additional support, reach out to your doctor, and they can help you create a path forward.

Stop Blaming Yourself

As separation lawyers, we know that relationships are complicated and take a lot of work from both sides. When they don’t work, we often sit in our sorrows and overthink where we went wrong as individuals. That can lead to feelings of depression when classifying them as our failures.

There are many reasons why people can grow apart, so we shouldn’t always blame ourselves. It may be helpful to write down what you have learned from this experience and reflect back on these tips to see how you have grown and how you can use this time for personal growth.

A Different Divorce Experience

As a separation lawyer in Calgary, we aim to minimize the emotional and financial strain of your divorce.

You can learn more about us here. We have over 40 years of mediation experience.
Our skilled divorce lawyers want to help you make the best decisions for you and your family while delivering an efficient, cost-effective solution. You can also book a consultation with us today.

We fully support creating a positive change with Bell Let’s Talk Day and hope that on January 25th, more people will speak up about their mental well-being regarding divorce instead of handling it alone.

Disclaimer: The content provided in the blog posts of Jones Divorce & Family Law is general information and should not be considered legal advice. Please contact a lawyer for legal advice tailored to your specific situation. All articles are current as of their original publication date.