Did you know the world has observed World Mental Health Day on October 10th since 1992?
World Mental Health Day is a vital initiative created by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) an organization present in over 150 countries.
World Mental Health Day is an invitation to:
- ENVISION a world where mental health is a priority for all people
- BUILD awareness and advocate against social stigma
- IGNITE the discussion on best practices for promoting mental health in the school, home, and workplace
- CELEBRATE those who have or are overcoming mental health challenges
- and EMPOWER those who live in silence for fear of being discovered, misunderstood, or deprived of essential care
Depression affects 350 million people worldwide. 1 in 5 New Yorkers experiences a mental health disorder in a given year. A large percentage of public high school students report feeling sad or hopeless on a daily basis. Stress-related medical conditions and diminished productivity in the workplace costs U.S. businesses around $300 billion a year!
Mental health affects all aspects of our lives — and will affect someone we know! We can and MUST all do something to help shed a more positive light on mental health.
Wondering how you can observe this day for yourself? Here are 7 WAYS to do so:
1. MAKE A PLEDGE, starting NOW, that you will make your mental health a priority every day. Shift or remove negative distractions that poorly affect your mental health and emotional stability.
2. PRACTICE SELF-CARE by performing, at least, ONE good habit each day that nourishes your mental health. Regular exercise, eating healthy, meditation, seeking counseling, volunteering, journaling, and expressing daily gratitude are just a few of the effective and inexpensive self-care practices available to you.
3. REGISTER FOR A GROUP THERAPY WORKSHOP focused on your needs and interests.
And how you can observe the day with your local community?
4. SPREAD AWARENESS on the importance of mental health and help stop the stigma around the issue.
5. REACH OUT to a loved one who has been facing challenging times and offer your support. Let them know why you value them.
6. SIGN the WFMH Mentally Healthy Workplace Pledge or discuss at your next team meeting.
7. PARTICIPATE in the Thrive NYC initiative to fight mental illness. They provide Mental Health First Aid trainings, mental health plans, and a 24hr text/hotline to name a few.
If you would like to read and share more encouraging news on mental health around the world here are a few of my personal favorites:
- In Japan: companies are hiring more employees who suffer from mental illness
- In Zimbabwe: the “Friendship Bench” offers a unique blueprint for mental health treatment
- In Great Britain: an innovative a mental health gym makes a world of difference
Recognizing that we need support is just one step — finding the right therapist or support group is an even more difficult step!
Celebrate this World Mental Health Day by making a positive difference in the life of a millennial woman! Take advantage of the MILLENNIAL MINDS! SUPPORT GROUP FOR MILLENNIAL WOMEN discount.
There’s only 1 DAY left to benefit from this discount!
We’re stronger together!