Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month This May
May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States–an important reminder that caring for your mental health is just as important as physical health.
Why do we need a month to celebrate mental health, you ask? 1 in 5 adults in the U.S experience mental illness according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Sure, the term ‘mental illness’ includes diagnoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders but it also includes more common ones like major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. P.S. NAMI has infographics and fact sheets that you can download and post at work or in public settings to build awareness for those who may need help.
Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t a new thing. In 1949, Mental Health America launched Mental Health Week which later became a month-long event to bring attention to mental illness and health.
What to do about it. Now that you have the facts, you may wonder what you can do to celebrate mental health awareness month. It’s easy. Celebrate by honoring your mental health and that of your loved ones. If you’re at a loss, here are some suggestions:
Practice fierce self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness—the same type that you likely freely give to others. Know that you are not alone with your struggles. We all struggle from time to time. We all need help. Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings. Mindful awareness is essential to practicing self-compassion. Learn more about what it means and the importance of self-compassion.
Practice self-care. This inevitably means different things to different people, depending on preferences. For me, self-care means journaling, taking a long walk in the woods, dancing to music, making homemade hummus, painting rocks or calling a friend. Get to know yourself and what brings you a sense of peace and calm.
See someone. See a therapist or help your loved one connect with one if he/she/they are struggling. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can search for therapists on psychologytoday.com, goodtherapy.org or therapyden.com and filter your search according to need.
Start a new healthy habit. We tend to get into old habits (some good, some…not so much) and the pandemic led many to engage in habits that don’t support mental health. Start a new healthy habit such as yoga or meditation, getting to bed earlier, decreasing time spent on devices, eliminating drugs and alcohol from your intake. Connect with friends and loved ones on a deeper level by being more vulnerable, honest and open. Meet a friend for dinner monthly, or go for weekly hikes.
Read! Educate yourself on mental health. Become informed by reading books, magazine articles, or blogs about mental health. Neuro Wellness Spa provides a list of the Top 100 Mental Health Blogs for 2022. If you prefer books, Healthline provides a list of the 13 Best Mental Health Books for 2022.
Donate or Volunteer. Organizations that support mental health often need volunteers and/or donations to keep them in business and running smoothly. They wouldn’t exist without the support of donors and volunteers. If you have the resources, consider contributing in some way during this Mental Health Awareness Month. Some suggestions can be found at donorbox.org which lists the Top 13 Mental Health Charities.
There are just so many ways to honor mental health awareness month. The above suggestions are only a drop in the bucket. Most importantly, you can choose to honor your mental health and that of your loved ones not just in May, but 24/7, 365. Let’s change the statistics from 1 in 5.
