WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Annually, World Mental Health Day on October 10th raises awareness and mobilizes efforts to support mental health.
Mental health is a hot topic. This is good news. It means the stigma for mental health issues is slowly going away. Mental health issues are finally getting the attention they deserve. Healthcare workers and individuals feel they can discuss mental health more openly. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to do, however.
As a whole, we often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define. Additionally, mental health includes several areas. These areas involve one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Mental health affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. When one has positive mental health, they are better equipped to handle stress, be more productive, and realize their full potential.
When one has poor mental health, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder. These disorders include the following diagnoses:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Of these mental health disorders, most people experience anxiety disorders. Statistics show about 4% of the world’s population has a form of anxiety disorder. In the United States, the percentage increases to just over 18% of the population.
Some people are at a higher risk of getting a mental health disorder. These include those with high-stress levels, those who have experienced trauma, and those who have few healthy relationships. However, family history plays a role in higher risk factors, too.
Thanks to increased awareness and increased funding for research, there are effective treatment options for most cases of mental health disorders. Conventional treatment methods include medication, psychotherapy, and hospital and residential programs.
HOW TO OBSERVE #MentalHealthDay
The World Federation for Mental Health organizes World Mental Health Day. Each year, a variety of events are held all around the world to increase awareness about mental health issues. Events include educational seminars, free mental health screenings, walk-a-thons, marathons, conferences, mass media promotions, and public service announcements.
If you know someone who struggles with a mental health disorder, World Mental Health Day is a great way to reach out to them. While many people don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their diagnosis, knowing they have someone to reach out to makes a real difference. You can also donate to an organization that advocates for mental health. A few include the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. If you think you might have a mental health disorder or are at a high risk of getting one, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Share this day on social media with #WorldMentalHealthDay.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY HISTORY
- 2019: Working Together to Prevent Suicide
- 2018: Young People and Mental Health
- 2017: Mental Health in the Workplace
- 2016: Psychological and Mental Health First Aid
NATIONAL CAKE DECORATING DAY
National Cake Decorating Day on October 10th recognizes the creative artist who elevates cake design to another level.
Many professional cake decorators started their careers as hobbyists. It allows them to express themselves in an edible form. We make or purchase decorated cakes for many of life’s events, from baptisms and birthdays to weddings and anniversaries. Decorated cakes help carry out the theme of any party or event.
Did you know cake decorators use at least six different types of icings? Depending on the kind of cake, they may use more than one type. Some help keep the layers together like glue. Others form designs better. And still, other types of icings or frosting add details.
6 Types of Icing or Frosting
- Butter Cream – This soft and very spreadable icing is tasty and preferred by bakers. It’s made with sugar and either lard, butter, or margarine.
- Cream Cheese Frosting – By combining Butter Cream frosting and cream cheese, this rich and soft frosting pairs well with cupcakes and red velvet cake.
- Fondant – Made with gelatin, glycerine, shortening, and other ingredients, this sculptable and moldable frosting builds a variety of designs on cakes.
- Meringue – Egg whites, cold water, and granulated sugar beaten to a frothy consistency create a beautifully light and airy frosting. The final product may be served chilled or cooked to a crisp. This frosting often will be found on top of tarts or pies.
- Royal Icing – A paste-like frosting, Royal Icing dries to a hard shell. Made from egg whites, icing sugar, and lime juice, this icing readily accepts colors.
We ooh and awe at a beautifully presented meal or dessert. Cake decorators take the challenge and offer us works of Van Gogh, Monet, Frida Kahlo, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Julia Morgan in pastry form. Not only do we celebrate with dark chocolate ganache, but our eyes can’t imagine the feats before us. At times, cake artists also create sugar art, too. They delight us with their flavors and inspiring designs.
HOW TO OBSERVE #CakeDecoratingDay
Decorate a cake. Thank your favorite cake decorator. Give them a shout out and let them know you appreciate their hard work and dedication. Share your favorite designs or your memories of past cakes that impressed you. What would you like to see in cake design? If you’re a cake decorator, share with us your most impressive decoration. Show off! And while you’re at it, pat yourself on the back, flour print and all.
Be sure to invite someone to #CelebrateEveryDay with you and enjoy a delicious decorated cake. Use #NationalCakeDecoratingDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CAKE DECORATING DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of the sweet and creative food holiday.
NATIONAL ANGEL FOOD CAKE DAY
National Angel Food Cake Day on October 10th celebrates the delicious, light, and fluffy cake that many home cooks serve with fruit or glazes.
Originating in the United States and first becoming popular in the late 19th century, angel food cake was so named because of its airy lightness. It was said to be the “food of the angels.”
Making angel food cake requires whipping egg whites until they are stiff. Cream of tartar stabilizes the egg whites. Additional ingredients are then folded into the egg white mixture.
The cake is then usually baked in an ungreased tube pan, leaving a hole in the middle of the cake. The center tube allows the cake batter to rise higher than other pans, causing the batter to clings to all sides of the pan. After baking, the pan is inverted while cooling to prevent the cake from falling in on itself.
Usually, rather than frosting, angel food cakes are topped with a glaze or a sweet fruit sauce and a swirl of whipped cream. Angel food cake also makes beautiful and amazing trifles. The airy layers absorb the flavors of fruit, caramel, liqueurs, and chocolate well. Another dessert that angel food gives an elegant look to is the parfait.
HOW TO OBSERVE #AngelFoodCakeDay
Bake up an angel food cake to share. Invite friends to taste with you. If you don’t have a recipe, try one of these. There are so many different varieties, it’s hard to choose!
Use #AngelFoodCakeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL ANGEL FOOD CAKE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origin of this delicious food holiday.
NATIONAL HANDBAG DAY
National Handbag Day on October 10th recognizes the versatile and utilitarian bag that goes by many names.
Not only do handbags come in many shapes and sizes. They can be the size of an envelope or almost as large as an overnight bag. They are available in every imaginable solid color and designs from leopard and zebra prints to calf skin and rhinestones. There truly is something for every taste and style.
Call it what you will – pocketbook, clutch, reticule, purse, evening bag, case, or pouch – they’ve been coming in handy for thousands of years. The earliest designs were a means of survival, but that didn’t stop the user from being creative. Whether they carried tools, ceremonial accessories or gear, the user often decorated them with beads or died the material. Complex pockets organized even the most elaborate sets of accessories.
Today, the availability of synthetic and natural fibers allows for even more variety in design. Bags offer a range of sizes and styles, too. Whether packing light, casual or sophisticated, these purses offer so much to the modern user.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHandbagDay
Show us your style by taking photos of your favorite handbags. Don’t forget to post them on social media using #nationalhandbagday.
NATIONAL HANDBAG HISTORY HISTORY
PurseBlog.com created National Handbag day in 2012.
Recipe of the Day
Spiced Raisin Bars
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Prep: 35 minutes
Servings: 80 servings
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon rum extract
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 – 1/2 cups golden raisins
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons rum
2 teaspoons water
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Prepare a 15x10x1 jelly roll pan by greasing bottom the bottom and sides.
Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Sift all ingredients together twice.
Cream together shortening and sugar.
Add molasses, egg, rum extract, water, and vinegar.
Pour batter into baking pan evenly.
Bake 17-20 minutes until bars turn light brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Let cool for 10 minutes.
Turn the pan onto a cooling rack to cool for an additional 10 minutes.
Place on a cutting board.
Combine confectioners’ sugar, rum, and water in a small bowl.
Brush glaze over the bars and allow to harden.
Cut bars into desired serving sizes.
About National Day Calendar
National Day Calendar® is the authoritative source for fun, unusual and unique National Days! Since our humble beginnings on National Popcorn Day in 2013, we now track nearly 1,500 National Days, National Weeks and National Months. In addition, our research team continues to uncover the origins of existing National Days as well as discover new, exciting days for everyone to celebrate.
There’s a celebration for everyone. While National Road Trip Day satisfies the itch to wander, many pet days let us share our love of animals. National 3-D Day and National Astronaut Day honor the advancement of technology, too. Every food day you can imagine (National Avocado Day, for example), will keep you celebrating, also!
Our Ambassador Program is another way #CelebrateEveryDay®! Whether you become an ambassador or follow one of the savvy ambassadors, their fun videos and posts will keep you prepared for every holiday.