While mental health is important to address year round, this month provided a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters!
This year’s theme was “Turn Awareness Into Action.” The theme celebrates the progress we’ve made in recognizing the importance of mental health, and challenges us to turn understanding into meaningful steps toward change. Whether it’s through advocacy, education, community engagement, or direct action in our own lives, “Turn Awareness Into Action” reflects our commitment to creating a world where mental health is prioritized for all.
I hope the information I provided was helpful and you took some time to explore the resources and you made time to explore your own mental health. Everyone’s journey is different, but you are never alone! Masking your symptoms can be easy and asking for help is not. Get connected with your own mental wellbeing. Prioritize yourself and give yourself permission to embrace it. Here’s a recap of the key messages that were discussed each week.
Week 1: Explore Your Mental Health. Encourage journaling, identifying emotions, and understanding triggers. Explore self-awareness as the foundation of mental health. Week 2: Nurture Your Wellbeing. Share strategies like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and boundary setting. Highlight self-care routines that nurture wellbeing. Week 3: Find Mental Health Support in Tough Times. Share personal coping tools and encourage self-compassion. Focus on resilience and finding strength during difficult times. Week 4: Embrace Your Mental Health Journey. Inspire personal growth and goal setting for mental wellness. Highlight the importance of celebrating progress and embracing change.
Awareness and action takes initiative. Spark conversations regarding mental health. Help spread what you do throughout moments in your day to take care of yourself. Take a walk. Write in a journal. Read a book. Listen to music. Connect with a friend. Let’s collectively promote these self-connection moments by sharing with family and friends. Together, we can make a difference!
Left to Right: Sally W, Kim V, Jody W, and Emily B.
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. Here are some links to various websites that I have used during my mental health and suicide journey, a link to the library’s online catalog to browse our resources, and to a local agency that provides mental wellbeing resources. I will also link to the posts I previously published to this website. Have an idea for a mental health or suicide prevention awareness event or how to spread awareness and advocacy throughout the community? I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at pipestonelibrary@yahoo.com.
NAMI – Meinders Library Catalog – CredibleMind – Mental Health America – SAMHSA – Mental Health Coalition – 988 Lifeline – Mental Health Minnesota – Wellness in the Woods – Meinders Mental Health Posts
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
