World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is an international day that aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and challenges. It also strives to educate and end the stigmas associated with mental health and mental illness. It is held every year on October 10th. World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 and has been held annually on October 10th ever since. It was created by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), which seeks to improve and address mental health challenges around the world through education, research, and policy development.
Why Does it Matter?
We are currently facing a mental health crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder and according to Mental Health America, rates for adults, adolescents, and children continue to increase when it comes to suicidal ideation, depression, and anxiety. There are simply not enough services for the mental health crisis we are facing. Many are going without the help they need to support them with their mental health issues. We need to spread awareness and education to make changes at the micro and macro levels. We need changes in laws and policy. We need funding for the support that is needed to address the current crisis that shows no signs of slowing down.
Ending the Stigma:
Mental health challenges impact us all from time to time. We all know someone that struggles with their mental health, but there is still a lot of stigma surrounding the issue which makes it hard for those who are experiencing a mental health issue to seek help, even though they may need it. This stigma can lead to isolation, depression, anxiety, and suicide among other things.
“Stigma, discrimination and human rights violations against people with mental health conditions are widespread in communities and care systems everywhere; 20 countries still criminalize attempted suicide. Across countries, it is the poorest and most disadvantaged in society who are at greatest risk of mental ill-health and who are also the least likely to receive adequate services” (WHO).
Everyone struggles with their mental health at some point in their lives. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mental illness, it does not define them as a person or discredit what they have accomplished in life. It just means that they have some things that need to be worked on and supported.
So what can you do to help end the stigma?
- Educate yourself: learn more about mental health issues and mental illnesses. Listen to my podcast, The Wellness Project with Des to learn from experts as well as first hand accounts.
- Be a support: support those in your life who struggle with their mental health.
- Take care if yourself: reach out if you need support.
- Don’t judge others based on appearance or behavior alone.
- Try understanding: show compassion and empathy.
It’s important to talk about mental health and mental illness because when you don’t, it makes it seem like something shameful or embarrassing, which is not the case at all!
Tips for Supporting Someone Struggling with their Mental Health:
Mental illness affects everyone, not just those suffering from it. Often times family members or loved ones can also be affected by a loved one’s condition. This can lead to feelings of guilt, anxiety, and/or stress as well as confusion about what to do or say when confronted with someone suffering from a mental illness. It’s easy to sweep the issue under the rug or ignore it out of fear of saying or doing the wrong thing.
Many people struggling with their mental health want their loved ones to notice and acknowledge their suffering. They don’t want to feel isolated and alone. They want to feel loved, supported, and cared for.
It’s okay that you don’t know what to do or say. All you have to do is be there for that person, be a listening ear, be a support to them. Let them know you love them, care for them, and are there for them or ask how you can help – If someone close to you has been diagnosed with a mental illness then ask them how you can help them.
If you do not know how to help or feel in over your head, educate yourself on their specific mental health need and reach out for more support. You can contact a help line or a local mental health clinic or a school.
Things You Can do to Improve Your Own Mental Health:
We all want to live a happy, healthy life, but that’s not always easy. We often get so caught up in the stress of our daily lives that we forget to take care of ourselves and make time for things like self-care, eating healthy, and getting in regular physical activity.
Positive mental health is feeling good about yourself and your life. A person with good mental health is happy, feels successful and able to cope with life’s challenges. They have high self-esteem and a positive self-image. A person with poor mental health may feel anxious or depressed, have trouble sleeping and eating, become withdrawn from friends and family, or think about harming themselves.
If you’re having issues with your mental health, seek help right away. It’s important to talk to someone you trust so that you can start feeling better. And remember that getting help doesn’t mean that you’re “crazy” or weak, it means that you care enough about yourself to do something about improving your mental health.
There are simple changes you can make to improve your physical and mental health throughout your days. If you’re looking for ways to improve your own mental health, here are some tips:
- Connect with others- we all need to feel connected to other people, and this is especially true when it comes to our mental health. One of the best things you can do for your own mental health is to connect with others. Connecting with others can help you feel less alone and more supported. You can connect with friends, family members, or even strangers who are going through similar experiences as you. If you don’t have anyone in your life right now that truly understands what you’re going through, that’s okay! There are tons of resources online and in-person if you feel comfortable reaching out that way. You can connect with others through social media platforms like Facebook. You can join a club or group where you can meet new people, or by starting a conversation with someone new in your everyday life. Check out apps like bumble bff or sites like meetup.com. You can also join my encouraging and supportive Facebook community to make connections with likeminded people.
- Be mindful of what you consume- what we consume has a huge impact on our mental health so it’s important to be mindful of what we’re consuming, especially junk food that can negatively impact your mental health and media that is full of negativity and stressors. If you want to improve your mental health, it’s important that you make sure that what you consume doesn’t contribute negatively to your mind or your body.
- When it comes to food you consume, keep in mind that we all have a strong mind-body connection. The food we put in our bodies not only effects our physical health but also our mental health. Eating junk food can leave you feeling sluggish and fatigued. Caffeine increases anxiety and sugary foods can leave you feeling distracted and unable to focus. Healthy foods can improve your mental health and leave you feeling positive, in a good mood, and confident. Remember, “You are what you eat.”
- It’s important to stay mindful of what types of media messages you consume every day such as advertisements or social media posts because these often portray idealized images that aren’t realistic for most people. Many of the images we see are photoshopped and we often see others highlight reels of their life which can negatively impact your mental health. Comparing yourself to others is a sure-fire way to feel dissatisfied about your own life. Social media can be great but it can also be toxic and harmful for your mental health. Be mindful of how social media is impacting your mental health.
- Build strong boundaries between yourself and others- it’s important to build strong boundaries between yourself and other people so that they don’t negatively affect your mental health too much. Strong boundaries treat others how you want to be treated. They provide expectations and prevent others from treating you poorly or ignoring your needs. Remember- “No is a complete sentence.” You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you expect to be treated.
- Take care of yourself- self-care is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health. Self-care means taking time out to take care of yourself and putting yourself as a priority. It could mean making sure you eat properly and regularly; getting enough sleep; or spending time with friends and family. Self-care means taking time out for yourself and doing something that makes you feel good. Practicing self-care is important for everyone but it’s especially important for those who struggle with their mental health. Self-care is a way to take time out of your day to focus on yourself and what matters most to you. It can help reduce stress and improve your mood by giving you more energy and confidence. Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated but it is hard work that takes daily effort and practice.
- Get regular physical activity- regular physical activity can help improve your mood and prevent stress by reducing your cortisol levels which impact mental and physical health. Regular exercise also helps release chemicals called endorphins into the brain which help fight stress and anxiety. Endorphins will also help to make you feel happier and more energized, which will make it easier for you to cope with difficult situations in life. Physical activity is a very important piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving your mental health and preventing or decreasing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other disorders.
- Being mindful- mindfulness is about being aware of what’s happening in the present moment without judging it or trying to change it. Mindfulness isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone but can be learned through regular practice such as meditation. You might also find that mindfulness helps with anxiety or depression if practiced regularly over time. Mindfulness can also improve sleep which helps to regulate emotions and improve mental health.
World Mental Health Day is an important day that helps to promote healthy mental wellness, helps to educate about mental health issues and mental illnesses, and helps to end the stigma when it comes to mental health. We have come a long way but still have so far to go. Thanks for being part of the change!
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, help is available. You don’t have to suffer in silence or go it alone. Reach out to a friend or loved one or reach out to a support hotline: you can call or text 988 for support or contact your local community mental health center for information.
If you want to continue educating yourself on mental health, mental illness, and wellness then check out my podcast, The Wellness Project with Des where I interview experts in the field as well as those that have struggled with their mental health and worked on improving it.
If you are looking for a supportive and encouraging community of likeminded people that want to improve their mental health then make sure you join my amazing Facebook Community. I am in there daily with mental health and wellness content.