The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Week 1 – Let’s talk about mental health. We all have mental health. We all have tough days and weeks, and everyone manages their mental health every day. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and/or behavior. Mental illness is treatable; it is not always a permanent state of being. The opportunities and resources we have available in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities impact our mental health just like they impact our physical health. Mental health is not just about what we do as individuals. For example, when organization and policies support belonging and connectedness, they promote mental health.
- We all have mental health every day. Achieving or maintaining mental wellness takes work, and research has found several ways that you can keep yourself healthy. Check out these Keys to Mental Well-being from Berkely University Greater Good Magazine.
- Every individual, family, organization, and community can promote mental health and well-being. For example, practicing gratitude and savoring are two individual exercises that can enhance our positive experiences in life. See Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program: How to Flourish for practical ideas to help you flourish.
- Mental health is all around us but is often misunderstood. The Roadmap to Mental Health, by the Mental Health Coalition, can explain what we mean when we say “mental health.”
- There are many harmful attitudes and misunderstandings around mental health conditions and mental illness. This can make people ignore their mental health, fuel stigma, and make it harder to reach out for help. Take the Mental Health Quiz developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and see if you can separate the myths from the facts.
- Everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. Mental Health America’s Tools 2 Thrive provides information, tips, and practical tools for situations that we all deal with. These tools can be used to improve your mental health and increase your resiliency.
I hope you continue to follow along this month as I post weekly key messages. Be the one to start a conversation and engage with others about mental health. Stay tuned for next week as I discuss Connecting With Yourself!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~