Protecting your mental health during divorce: Why it’s important

Separation and divorce is never easy but protecting your mental health is critical to make sound decisions that will serve you well in the next chapter of your life. To assist our clients with protecting or improving their mental health during a separation, we have partnered with counsellors that specifically deal with separation, divorce and families. Click here to find out more about our counselling program. The ways counselling can assist you during a separation is:

  1. To develop an understanding of your own resiliency (and of your children);
  2. To help you develop skills to deal with the new terrain and emotional self-regulation;
  3. To assist you in better understanding the impact on your family and how to take care of your children’s needs through the process;
  4. To provide you with counselling and psycho-educational support; and
  5. To assist you in gaining an understanding of the cycle of loss and change.

Protecting Your Mental Health – Common Signs of Poor Mental Health

There are numerous signs of poor mental health. Common ones include increased confusion or reduced ability to concentrate, extreme mood changes, low energy or problems sleeping, and the inability to cope with daily problems and stresses. All of these can disable or impair decision making.

It is important (in addition to counselling) to take even small steps in your daily life to protect and improve your mental health to enable you to make decisions that are right for you. Some steps to consider are:

  1. Daily exercise (even if just a 20 minute walk),
  2. Mindful mediation (there are lots of good Apps now like Headspace or Calm),
  3. Spending time with friends or family that are a positive influence in your life,
  4. Integrating healthy sleep habits (at least 7 hours per night is recommended), and
  5. Eating healthy, nourishing food.

Why Is Your Mental Health Important?

Your mental health is key to every aspect of your life, whether you are going through a separation or not. When you are going through a separation, most aspects of your life are going to be touched by change, so it is key to feel confident in those decisions. Consider a few of the key decisions you will be making during a separation that would benefit from having a clear mind:

  • The division of property and debt, which will inform the financial platform for the next chapter in your life;
  • Parenting arrangements, schedules and how you and your spouse interact about these decisions; and
  • Child and spousal support, whether you are paying it or receiving it, will impact your future financial picture and available funds.

Need help?

If you would like more information about how Connect can assist you with a separation or divorce, please reach out to us – we are here to help!

About Leisha Murphy

(she/her)
Partner/Mediator – Vancouver

After being a family lawyer for over 13 years, coupled with my own personal experience with divorce, I have come to understand the difficult transition that comes with the end of a relationship. This experience has put me in the unique position of being able to provide clients with a clear picture of what is to come and how to plan for it. As well as provide clients with guidance and education on how to deal with the day-to-day realities of a separation.