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.
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health – Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.
WEEK 1: EXPLORE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
We all have mental health. Mental health is our ability to engage with our emotions, thoughts, interactions with others, and the world around us. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act every day. Just like with our physical health, we can do things that make us mentally healthier and happier. When you feel mentally well, you’re more able to enjoy life and the people in it, feel better about yourself, keep up with fulfilling relationships, and manage stress.
Exploring your mental health will help you better understand what you need to support your mental wellbeing. Mental health plays a big role in overall wellbeing. We all have tough days and weeks, and everyone manages their mental health every day. The best way to protect mental health is to pay attention to it, even when you’re feeling good. Becoming more aware of what disrupts your mental health will help you learn what actions, tools, and resources may be useful to you when you need it. There are many ways to take action to improve mental health for yourself and for those around you. Taking proactive steps to understand and care for your mental wellbeing isn’t just self-care, it’s an investment in your future.
Experiencing poor mental health is not the same as having a mental health condition. A mental health condition, or mental illness, refers to a set of symptoms that have been identified by a health provider. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and behavior. For some, this means extreme and unexpected changes in their mood, like feeling more sad or worried than usual. For others, it means not thinking clearly, pulling away from friends and activities you used to enjoy, or hearing voices that others do not. Mental illness is treatable and is not always a permanent state of being.
The opportunities and resources we have available in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities can help support our mental health and wellbeing. Mental health is about what we do as individuals, and how we are supported in our communities. For example, neighborhoods and organizations can provide resources that support your sense of belonging, connectedness, and mental wellbeing.
- Taking steps to explore your mental health will help you learn what you need to support your mental wellbeing. Take action and check your mental health with a free, quick, anonymous test at Mental Health America.
- Research has found several ways that you can keep yourself healthy. Check out these Keys to Mental Wellbeing from Berkely University Greater Good Magazine.
- 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.
- Every individual, family, organization, and community can promote mental health and wellbeing. For example, practicing gratitude is an individual exercise that can enhance our positive experiences in life. See Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program for more ideas to help you flourish.
On that note, I am one of four wonderful librarians here at Meinders Community Library and we have books and resources on the topic that can help you or your loved ones. Patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so please don’t be afraid to ask. I am also a survivor and an advocate, so I am always here to help or lend an ear to listen. I’ve reserved the library conference room on Wednesday, May 7th from 5-7pm and Wednesday, May 21st from 5-7pm for a Mental Health Meet-Up. Whether you are an advocate and want to share ideas to help, or you are a survivor and want to share your story and plan activities moving forward, we are here to listen and to make connections! I hope you will join me!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
