It Starts With a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep and mental health go hand-in-hand. Not getting enough sleep can affect your psychological being and hinder your ability to think clearly. This information probably isn’t a huge surprise to most people, but how seriously do we take this correlation?

It’s reported that more than a third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep, while one in four people are affected by mental health disorders, with up to 90% of adults experiencing significant depression. Life can be hectic, and sometimes it feels like there just isn’t enough time in the day to prioritize sleep. However, studies have shown there is a strong correlation between mental health and sleep habits. When your body is deprived of a consistent good night’s rest, your mind is more susceptible to heightened anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.

In recognition of mental health month, we’re looking at ways self-help resources can not only improve your sleep habits but boost your mental health, too. myStrength is an online and mobile platform that provides digital resources to help users balance their mind, body and spirit. Emotional health and well-being is a journey. myStrength is available 24/7/365 to provide inspiration, cultivate resilience and strengthen skills to build strong mental health. Additionally, the activities and tools available on the platform complement other forms of care such as medication or working with a mental health professional, if applicable.

Applications like Amazon or Netflix recognize the category of content you watch or view and feed you similar results. Similarly, myStrength suggests articles, tools, activities and interactive exercises based on an individual’s behavioral health needs. When signing into myStrength, users can personalize their experience and select areas of focus including depression, anxiety, stress, substance use, chronic pain and sleep. The platform incorporates multiple programs to help manage and overcome co-occurring challenges.  For example, if someone struggles with anxiety and has trouble sleeping, myStrength offers step-by-step programs to help identify, manage and challenge anxious thoughts and guides for preparing for a restful sleep. myStrength adjusts each day and with every interaction. Preferences and goals, current emotional and motivational states, ongoing life events are all captured. Sophisticated machine learning algorithms create individualized myStrength experiences which include interactive programs, in-the-moment coping tools, inspirational resources and community support.

All of the information on the platform is evidence-based and clinically-reviewed. The myStrength experience is based in clinical models like cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, positive psychology, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing – proven interventions that have helped millions improve and sustain health and well-being. myStrength offers depth and breadth to build resiliency, manage stress, improve mood, sleep better or simply find daily inspiration. The myStrength platform empowers individuals with personalized pathways incorporating multiple programs to help manage and overcome comorbid challenges.

myStrength's Sleep program uses a scientific method called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Individuals construct a sleep plan and the program, through videos, audio exercises and interactive modules, provides users many outlets to get their sleep back on track. Weekly check-ins allow users to adjust based on individual progress made and the easy-to-use sleep diary is great for tracking nightly progress. Even if a person doesn’t feel like they suffer from consistent insomnia, the tools available on myStrength can help all users improve their sleep, leading to a clear mind and more rested body. myStrength is proven effective for up to 80% of treated persons, with results showing a 67% reduction in time spent lying awake at night.

Through the partnership, Netsmart extends the myStrength digital, evidence-based tools to all Netsmart behavioral health clients by integrating the content into its electronic health record (EHR) platforms and consumer engagement solutions. Netsmart also rolled out the innovative self-care resources to its associates. myStrength helps empower and educate Netsmart clients, associates and communities to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use.

Download and sign on to the myStrength platform today and start your journey toward improved behavioral health and better sleep habits. Improved behavioral health begins with a good night’s sleep!