May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you would like to get involved or learn more about this, go to Home | SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The YMCA of Eau Claire is sponsoring a Mental Health Resource Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA of Eau Claire.
The event will include a children’s play area, three short speakers, and a 30-minute presentation by Sagent Behavioral Health. This gathering is more than a chance to collect information and resources. It is also a place where people can come together, learn about mental health, and discover hope and support for Recovery.
I hope wherever you are, you know Recovery is with you right where you are.
For some of us, healing begins by getting in touch with feelings from childhood. We may remember times when we felt sad, afraid, anxious, or ashamed. We may also notice that certain situations today bring back those same feelings.
Returning to these childhood feelings can be an important part of Recovery. Old feelings of shame, sadness, anxiety, or guilt often rise again when we face similar situations as adults. Healing happens when we allow ourselves to feel those emotions, use healthy coping skills, and then gently let the feelings go. We may still remember the past, but those memories no longer need to control our hearts the way they once did.
My father was very strict and rigid. I worked hard to please him and do things the way he wanted. Yet no matter how hard I tried, it never felt like enough. Today, this sometimes leads me to try too hard to please others. My perfectionism can leave me feeling like I never measure up and never fully rest in peace with myself. These struggles can bring feelings of guilt, sadness, and disappointment when life does not go the way I hoped.
The good news is that healing is possible. I have grown in these areas because I am working with a therapist to face unresolved feelings from the past.
One of the healthiest ways to deal with painful feelings is to face them honestly, especially the feelings that continue to bring darkness into our lives. This is not easy work. Sometimes, we do not even know where the feelings began. But with patience, support, and daily work in Recovery, we can move beyond emotions that no longer need to control us.
As we heal, we also need to be gentle with ourselves. If we focus only on how sad or anxious we are, or shame ourselves for having those feelings, we may begin to feel weak and hopeless. This is often a sign that we need to practice radical acceptance of our past so we can live more fully in the present moment.
This is also a time to reach out for support. Call a trusted friend, sponsor, therapist, or group member. Simply saying, “I feel sad, and this is why,” can bring comfort and healing. Sometimes sharing our pain allows the heavy feelings to wash away slowly.
Recovery reminds us that we do not have to carry our burdens alone. With compassion, honesty, and support, healing can happen one step at a time.
How can you gently face unresolved feelings from your past?
What steps can you take today to continue your Recovery journey?