As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the ups and downs of the past twelve months. While we prepare for celebrations (and later bills!), and contemplate new plans or new year’s goals for our physical health, there’s often something important that often gets left behind: our mental health.
Imagine all the times you’ve invested in your physical well-being—whether it’s scheduling an annual physical check-up or setting fitness goals. Your mental health deserves the same attention. And if you have mental health benefits through your workplace or insurance plan, they’re an invaluable resource—one that can make a world of difference before the year ends.
In this guide, we’ll explore why it’s so important to make use of these benefits before they expire and how doing so can set you up for a balanced, healthier start to the new year.
Why Prioritize Your Mental Health Before Year-End?
1. An Investment in Yourself
Your mental health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Just like an annual physical check-up, therapy or mental health support can help you assess where you are, reflect on your growth, and identify areas you’d like to improve. Your mental health benefits provide you with an opportunity to invest in yourself, your growth, and your quality of life. And of course, if you decide that there is indeed a mental health goal that you’d like some support with next year, a mental health checkup in December means that next year’s benefits are preserved for helping you progress towards your goal.
For more insights on making mental health care accessible, check out our article End-of-Year Mental Health Check-In: Why It’s Important and How to Do It.
2. Preventive Care Is Key
Mental health isn’t just about addressing problems after they’ve become overwhelming—it’s about being proactive. Preventive mental health care helps you identify and manage stressors before they turn into larger issues. Whether you’ve had a particularly tough year or simply want to ensure you enter the new year feeling your best, using your benefits now can provide a foundation of support that helps you thrive.
Want to learn why preventive mental health care is important? Read our article Why Is Preventive Mental Health Care Just as Important as Physical Health Check-Ups?.
3. End-of-Year Reflection and Closure
The end of the year is a time when many of us naturally reflect on our experiences—what went well, what was challenging, and what we’ve learned. If you see enduring patterns year over year that you haven’t been able to shift, or if you are puzzled by changes over the past several months that you can’t quite figure out, talking to a therapist may help. Therapists are trained to think about the variables that impact human behaviour: biological factors, social and contextual factors, and individual psychological factors from one’s past. A therapist may be able to see patterns that are not obvious to the one who is living them. By talking through your experiences with a professional, you can gain clarity, find closure for difficult experiences, and enter the new year with a renewed sense of purpose.
“Therapy gives you a safe place to make sense of your experiences—turning reflection into growth, and challenges into learning opportunities.”
For more on using therapy for reflection and growth, explore our article How Can I Use My Mental Health Benefits for Year-End Reflection and Growth?.
4. Building Healthy Habits for the Future
Using your mental health benefits can also help you build habits that support your well-being in the long term. Whether it’s learning new coping skills, working on self-compassion, or setting healthy boundaries, these are tools you can carry with you well into the new year. Starting therapy now can also help establish a supportive routine—one that continues to benefit you long after the holiday season ends.
Learn more about building healthy habits by reading The Benefits of a Mental Health Tune-Up: Entering the New Year with Clarity and Confidence.
How to Make the Most of Your Year-End Therapy Opportunities
1. Schedule a Year-End Check-In Session
If you already see a therapist, consider scheduling a dedicated year-end check-in session. This session can be used to reflect on your progress, discuss any challenges you’re currently facing, and set goals for the upcoming year. If you’re new to therapy, a year-end check-in can be a great way to dip your toes in and see how it might benefit you. For more on how to prepare for a year-end check-in, read our article How Do I Prepare for a Year-End Therapy Session?.
2. Focus on Reflection and Growth
Use your therapy sessions to reflect on the past year. What were your successes? What challenges did you overcome? What skills and supports were most helpful in driving success and overcoming challenges? What do you want to carry forward into the next year? This reflective process can help you better understand yourself and set meaningful intentions for the future.
3. Prepare for a Different Holiday Season
The holiday season can be stressful for many reasons—family gatherings, financial pressures, or just the general hustle and bustle. If you are seeking to change persistent patterns: over-spending, getting hooked into family conflicts, engaging with food or substances in ways that worry you, therapy can be an excellent space to identify strategies for doing the holidays differently – ensuring that you have the support you need to navigate this busy time with a sense of calm and balance.
To learn more about managing holiday stress, read our article Using Your Mental Health Benefits to Reduce Holiday Stress.
4. Consider Different Types of Support
Mental health benefits often cover more than just individual therapy. They might also include group therapy, couples therapy, or counselling for specific issues like grief. Explore your options to see what kind of support feels right for you at this time.
Your Well-Being Matters
Your mental health benefits are there for a reason. Employers understand that helping employees maximize their physical and mental well-being is associated with a stronger work culture where employees can engage meaningfully in their careers, can better bring their whole selves to work, and can engage in work productively and creatively. Using your mental health benefits is about prioritizing your well-being and making sure you’re entering the new year feeling energized and well. Life can be challenging, and we all deserve the chance to reflect, grow, and receive care that helps us live fulfilling lives.
- Reflect on Your Year: Use therapy to look back on your growth and challenges.
- Set Meaningful Goals: Work on building healthy habits and coping skills that will carry into the new year.
- Make Self-Care a Priority: Your well-being matters—invest in it.
Take this opportunity to invest in yourself. Whether you need support managing stress, want to explore personal growth, or simply need a safe space to talk, your mental health benefits are there for you—use them to take care of what matters most: you.
Ready to Prioritize Your Well-Being?
If you’re ready to take the next step towards well-being, reach out to schedule an appointment today. At Transforming Emotions, we’re here to support you every step of the way—so you can enter the new year feeling empowered, balanced, and ready for what’s ahead.
