Key to finding that balance is understanding its role with mental health, and that was the topic of Jen Pullen’s keynote address at the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance’s Leading Ladies of Fort Dodge lunch on Thursday at Olde Boston’s.

Pullen, a licensed mental health counselor, is the executive director of UnityPoint Health- Berryhill Center.

“Mental health is not a ‘those people’ problem,” Pullen said. “All of us have mental health and we need to know what our resources are.”

Mental health is just as important as physical health, she said. Just about everyone has felt depressed or anxious at one point or another, she said. Sometimes it’s brief, and sometimes it lasts longer.

Pullen noted some signs someone is struggling with their mental health — they’re withdrawing emotionally, they show exhaustion, they’re agitated often, they feel hopeless or they’ve had a dramatic change of personality. Not all those signs mean someone necessarily needs to seek help, she said, but it’s important to know when you do need to get help and what help can look like.

When mental health struggles start to interfere in someone’s family and friends relationships, or their school or work, is a time when help may be needed. Pullen also noted some negative coping skills that some may turn to, including alcohol or substance use, gambling, overeating and more.

“What does help look like?” Pullen asked the group of about 60 women.

Help can be both professional and non-professional, she said. Turning to a friend for support can help. Talking to a mental health professional can help. Even talking to a primary care provider can help.

“Have a tribe of people,” Pullen said. “You need people you can lean into. You have to know where your strength comes from, whether that’s your friends or your family or from your faith.”

Pullen also encourages mindfulness, taking time to work on a task with a clear mind.

“We have to slow down,” she said. “It’s not profound, but people don’t take the time to do it.”

This was the second Leading Ladies lunch, according to Kelly Halsted, economic development director for the Growth Alliance.

Halsted said she expects the Leading Ladies lunches will be held quarterly.

“The purpose is to create a network for women in the community to connect them with each other, to have speakers with valuable information that they can take into their personal and professional lives,” said Lydia Schuur, communications specialist for the Growth Alliance.

The Growth Alliance has also created a space on social media for this initiative to share information and news of upcoming events. The Leading Ladies of Fort Dodge Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/FDLeadingLadies.