May 7, 2019 - May is Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago by the national organization, Mental Health America, to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
We all do well some days and less well on others. When it comes to mental health it is not us and them. It is only us. We are united by our emotional strengths and our emotional frailties. We are in it together. We help each other.
When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
Reliance Health is bringing our message of mental wellness to the community, to help Eastern Connecticut be a healthier, happier place to live. To do that, we wanted to start a community conversation. We asked people to answer the question, “How do you care for your mental health?”. The response we received was incredible.
So many individuals have shared their personal experiences, tips, tricks, and ideas on how to care for mental health. What they’ve shared is truly inspiring! Like Emily, who wrote:
“People need hope. But struggling with an anxiety disorder, depressed mood, untreated trauma, and an unsupportive home environment led to me to abandon all hope at times. Therapy taught me that my feelings are valid, and that I DESERVED a supportive environment, and I started believing I had value and potential. I had something to live for because I had hope that I could feel better, that I could be valued. Full recovery is far away, but I beat the depression thanks to my progress.
---Therapy and my partner taught me I can create the hope that I thought I lost. I can create the hope that no one gave me. I became the source of my own hope. ---
As someone once told me, recovery isn't linear.”
Or Kevin who shared,
“Be strong, knowing that strength can be defined as our willingness to ask for help.”
Comments related to music, prayer, and reading were popular, as was walking on the beach, art, or spending time with pets. Perhaps the most thought provoking, however, where the comments from children.
We participated in a health and wellness fair at Moriarty Magnet School in Norwich where we asked elementary aged children to answer the question, “How do you care for your mental health?”. Most kids looked puzzled and at first, unsure how to answer. They know how to care for their physical health, but mental health is not something that children are used to talking about. When we rephrased the question and asked them what makes them feel better when they’re sad, angry, nervous, or scared, almost every child answered by saying “play”. Play! What a simple concept that so many of us, as adults, don’t even think of.
We’re posting the responses we’ve received on our Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the month of May. At the end of the month, we’ll put all the replies into one album on Facebook for you to review. If you have a response you would like to share, please contact us. We would love to add it to the growing collection!
Mental health is the foundation for which all health is based. We appreciate all those who are willing to participate in this conversation and bring mental health awareness to the forefront. May might be Mental Health Month, but every day can be a day to support each other and encourage a healthier, happier life for all.
