Many of us find ourselves in a slump this time of year. Though we began 2019 with good intentions, the task of maintaining healthy habits each day can start to feel more challenging than empowering. Now that May is officially here, however, it’s time to give our self-care and mental wellness a good spring cleaning.
Throughout the month of May, we encourage you to join the movement to help reevaluate your mental health care and wellness by finding support for yourself—and offering it to those around you, as well.
Believe it or not, Mental Health Awareness Month dates back to 1949. And since then, more and more organizations continue to work together to celebrate this annual tradition and help reduce the social stigmas surrounding mental illnesses.
Mental Health Awareness Month was established to “fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families,” (NAMI). It’s true that many of us struggle with depression, grief, body image, or other conditions. In fact, “1 in 5 people will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime.” But by participating in local community activities, special events, and programs that help reduce social stigmas through education, you, your friends, coworkers, and neighbors will feel encouraged to make self-care a top priority and to become more mindful of the needs of others.
Every year, Mental Health Awareness Month has a creative theme. This year’s theme centers around the connection between our minds and bodies. And so, people are encouraged to start tagging #4Mind4Body on their social channels to help raise awareness.
There are several events, activities, and challenges available to individuals of all ages that may help you refocus your intentions and prioritize mental health in your life. Whether you’re living with a mental illness or not, participating in the below activities will help foster a more tolerant, supportive, and understanding perception that inspires you and your loved ones to pursue better, fuller lives—together!
Mental health awareness activities for work are easy to implement and can boost team morale, production, and employee wellbeing. Here are several ways to raise awareness at the office:
Adults also have several opportunities to incorporate activities into their daily routines:
There are many different mental health awareness activities for students in both primary and high school settings that can be completed at home or incorporated into school curricula, such as
For more creative ideas for children and teens, visit the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
We hope you feel inspired and get into the spirit of raising mental health awareness this month. If you’d like to talk to one of our experienced therapists, visit our website to learn more about the services and programs we offer to individuals andfamilies.