Turn Awareness Into Action
Since 1949, every May, we have celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, the theme is “Turn Awareness into Action.” The theme encourages individuals to go beyond simply acknowledging that mental health concerns exist and instead take action to improve mental health. With that theme in mind, this blog post focuses on ways folks may get involved or take action to improve mental health.
- Start Conversations:
Have you ever felt shame or anxiety about something and didn’t think anyone would understand? Now, imagine someone talking about that very thing casually in conversation. For me, that thing was imposter syndrome. When other people spoke about it around me, it made a few things clear for me: I wasn’t alone; other people felt this way, too, AND it was OK to discuss openly.
One in five adults is affected by mental illness every year.[i] The average life expectancy for individuals with severe mental illness is, on average, 20 years shorter than individuals without.[ii] Additionally, individuals with depression are at 40% greater risk of developing heart disease than the general population,[iii] and the second leading cause of death for individuals between 10 and 34 is suicide.[iv]
Talking about mental health is important because it can reduce stigma, promote early intervention, build stronger support networks, educate others, and normalize experiences.[v]
Talking about mental health can also create connection and empathy. It’s important when discussing mental health that we do not try and “fix” the problem. You may have seen this Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA) video narrated by Dr. Brene Brown, but if not, it is a beautiful illustration of how to ease someone’s pain and suffering. She reminds us that we can create a genuine empathic connection if we are first in touch with our own vulnerability.
- Advocate for Change:
Think about an area of mental health you care deeply about. What needs exist in that space? How can you give voice or create visibility for that area?
Advocacy can help break stigma, raise awareness, improve access to care, support early intervention, create policy change, and inspire individuals.[vi]
- Educate Others:
According to Brown Health, talking openly about mental health can reduce misconceptions and stigma and encourage those who are struggling to seek help and find a support network.[vii]
All of us need to understand the impact that mental health has on daily life. We can better support when people are better informed about how mental health can impact individuals, families, and communities.[viii]
- Prioritize You Mental Health:
The benefits of good mental health include a stronger ability to cope with life’s stressors, a positive self-image, better productivity, and a higher quality of life. Who doesn’t want those things?
When prioritizing mental health, it’s important to consider the impact of physical health on mental well-being. We are whole beings, and what impacts us physically can impact us mentally, and the opposite is also true. There are different quadrants of life to consider when we ask ourselves how we’re prioritizing our mental (and physical) well-being.
- Exercise: How often are you moving your body? A 30-minute walk a day can help elevate energy levels and leave you feeling more productive.
- Sleep: Sleep is necessary for our bodies to recharge and significantly impacts our mental health. Everyone’s sleep needs differ, but a good goal is between seven and nine hours a night.
- Eat well: There is a strong connection between our gut and our mind. Healthy eating can increase your energy and help you feel better.
- Relationships: Being connected socially helps improve mental health and provides a supportive environment.
In addition to focusing on these quadrants, it’s also important to reach out to a professional if you are experiencing mental health concerns. Talking to a friend or a family member can be helpful, and, sometimes, you may feel like that’s not enough or not right for you.
If you are, or someone you know is, experiencing a mental health emergency, the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line can also help.
Resources
1 nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers
2 nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
3 nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-by-the-numbers
4 nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide
5 mass.gov/info-details/why-is-it-important-to-talk-about-mental-health
6 publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/mental-health-advocacy-public-health
7 brownhealth.org/be-well/importance-mental-health-awareness-month
8 brownhealth.org/be-well/importance-mental-health-awareness-month