Mental Health Goals for the Second Half of the Year

Written by: Victoria Allen, Resident in Counseling

Somehow, we’ve made it to the halfway point of the year — and whether the last six

months flew by or crawled, this is a natural moment to pause, check in, and reset.

Mental health isn’t just about addressing what’s wrong — it’s also about building a life that supports peace, resilience, and emotional balance. The second half of the year can be a powerful time to set or re-align goals that nurture your well-being — not from a place of pressure, but from a place of care.

Here are some examples of intentional and achievable mental health goals to carry

into the rest of the year:

1. Prioritize Emotional Check-Ins

Start small: once a day, pause and ask yourself, “How am I really doing right now?”

This simple practice builds self-awareness and emotional honesty — the foundation of healthy coping. Also keeping a feelings journal, using a mood-tracking app, or adding a calendar reminder to check in with yourself are some useful ways to check in with yourself.

2. Practice Saying No Without Guilt

Boundaries are a form of self-care. Whether it’s declining a plan, stepping back from

draining conversations, protecting your time, or learning to say “no” with confidence can help protect your peace and energy.

A goal for this could look like setting one boundary per week, even if it’s small, and noticing how it feels and what it opens up for you.

3. Limit Comparison and Increase Compassion

Social media can quietly influence how we see ourselves. Make it a goal to notice when comparison creeps in — and gently shift your focus back to your own values, growth, and journey.

This could look like unfollowing or muting accounts that make you feel less than, following accounts that promote mental health, body acceptance, and joy, and speaking to yourself like you would a friend.

4. Reconnect with What Grounds You

Whether it’s your faith, creativity, community, or nature — revisiting what helps you feel centered is a powerful reset button. You don’t have to find something new; just return to what has always felt like home.

5. Strengthen Your Support System

We’re not meant to do life alone. Strengthening your support system may mean

deepening current relationships, reaching out for help, or seeking therapy. Let the

second half of the year be the time you intentionally invest in connections.

This could look like scheduling regular check-ins with a trusted friend, joining a support group, or beginning or returning to therapy.

6. Celebrate Progress — Not Just Productivity

Your worth is not tied to how much you get done. Make space to celebrate emotional

wins: the day you got out of bed despite not wanting to, the moment you expressed how you really felt, the time you took a break before burnout hit.

Final Thought: Make it Gentle, Not Perfect

Your mental health goals don’t need to be grand or impressive. They just need to be

real, supportive, and sustainable. Whether you’re making small shifts or big changes,

every step you take toward emotional well-being matters.

Let this next season be one where you care for your mind the way you care for your

heart — with compassion, intention, and trust in your ability to grow.