For many of us, it has been a tough last-few years, dealing with everything from the pandemic to inflation. To help usher in October as Depression and Mental Health Awareness month, it can be a great time to focus on strategies that improve your mental health. The beginning of this week was actually World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, and many have continued to bring important mental health issues and research to light to honor the moment.
For example, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation is a significant driving force toward raising awareness and providing resources to support mental health in youth. Executive Director of the foundation Maya Smith recently went on record saying now is the time to openly talk about our stories.
To support mental health awareness during the whole month of October, let’s take a closer look at what you or a loved one can do to bolster your mental health. Here are just a few of the techniques you can use any time from people far and wide who celebrated World Mental Health Day:
Share Your Experiences
A wonderful way to honor World Mental Health Day is to simply share your own mental health experiences. Too frequently, people experiencing mental health issues feel they are alone and are embarrassed to discuss how they are feeling. But hearing other people’s experiences can really help – reassuring them that they are part of a community and encouraging them to open up about their feelings. Real-life details can spark important conversations that can ultimately save and improve lives.
Initiative Conversations Online
Beginning conversations on the internet and social media is a solid way to connect with people and raise awareness of mental health. Whether you want to share an important article or talk about your own experiences with mental health (or both), this is a great opportunity to spread the word and support others around the world The official hashtag for this year on Oct. 10th was #WorldMentalHealthDay, but you can practice the same strategies to connect with people all year round.
Care For Your Own Mental Health
World Mental Health Day is primarily a reminder to consider your own mental health. Taking time to do this ongoingly will help reduce your stress levels and prevent or at least reduce burnout. Whether you write about how you’re feeling in a daily diary or simply need to take five minutes to really think about how you feel that day, it can really help your mental wellbeing.
Make Time For Gratitude
Expressing daily gratitude is almost always a great way to improve your mental health and reaffirm your appreciation for other people. Think about it: receiving someone’s sincere thanks is the perfect way to remind a person (and yourself) what you are thankful for about them being in your life. Over time, this can help alter any negative thought processes, by teaching yourself the importance of being grateful for what you have in life.
Contact Loved Ones
World Mental Health Day and Depression and Mental Health Awareness month are both perfect times to call, text, email, or otherwise reach out to loved ones who might be facing their own mental health challenges. Even just asking how they are and reminding them that you are there for them can do a lot to make your relationship stronger or even remind them how strong it already is. Whether you invite your family member or friend out for a coffee, pick up the phone, or even contact them on social media, a basic message can be all someone needs to help address their mental health issues.
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about professional mental health resources, get in touch today. For more information about mental health awareness and strategies, TMS in Allentown is here to help! Our facility is one of the first TMS centers in the area and one of the most experienced across the whole east coast. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!