Why I Started A Minute for Mental Health (And What Keeps Me Going)

It started with exhaustion—and not just the kind that sleep can fix.

For years, I worked in healthcare and social service settings—hospitals, community mental health, a family health team—supporting people in crisis, grief, trauma, and transition. I was passionate about my work. I still am. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was surviving more than thriving.

Like so many helpers, I had learned to minimize my own needs. I believed if I just worked harder, was more available, or made one more list, things would feel easier. Instead, I felt stuck in cycles of burnout, compassion fatigue, and moments of deep disconnection from myself.

And at home? I was navigating the complex, beautiful, and sometimes chaotic experience of being a blended family parent—holding space for others’ big feelings while struggling to process my own.

There were times I felt like I had to choose: either show up for others or show up for myself. The idea of self-care felt indulgent, unrealistic—even selfish.

That’s when I realized: helpers need their own kind of help. And it has to fit real life.

I created what I wished I’d had.

A Minute for Mental Health started with a simple question:
What if support could come in small, meaningful moments?
What if mental health resources didn’t require an hour, a therapist, or a perfect plan?

What if one grounded breath, one reflection prompt, or one honest check-in could start to shift things?

So I began to create the tools I needed during the hardest seasons of my life—grief, motherhood, co-parenting, career shifts, and caregiving. Tools that were trauma-informed, practical, and gentle.

The first ones were for me.
The next ones were for my clients.
And now—they’re for anyone who needs them.

What keeps me going

It’s the messages from nurses using grounding cards on night shift.
It’s the teacher who said the journaling prompts helped her reconnect with herself.
It’s the parents trying to explain grief or trauma to their kids—and finding a way in.

It’s knowing that small tools, used with intention, can bring real relief.
It’s believing that self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s how we stay whole while doing hard things.

And on the hard days? I remember that I’m not building this business on perfection—I’m building it on honesty, lived experience, and the belief that healing is possible, even in small moments.

Why “A Minute”?

Because that’s all many of us feel we have.
And sometimes, a minute is enough.

Enough to pause.
Enough to ask, “How am I really doing?”
Enough to remember that you matter too.

Thanks for being here. I’m so glad you found your way to A Minute for Mental Health.
Whether you’re a parent, therapist, first responder, educator, or quiet caregiver—this space is for you.

You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it alone.
You just have to start… with a minute.