In the last few years, there’s been an unprecedented mental health crisis in the United States. Unfortunately, this crisis has been impacting people of all ages and every background. May has been designated as a month to increase awareness about mental health and how important it is to everyone’s health and well being.
Mental Health IS Health.
This year, there’s a push to acknowledge that mental health is essential to our overall health. Most of us do things to take care of our physical health— get regular check-ups, exercise, take vitamins and other supplements, etc. There are many things we can do to take care of our mental health, too. Keep in mind, some activities might not be a good fit. That’s okay— it’s important to do what feels right for YOU!
Here are a few suggestions from Mental Health Action Network:
- Take time to connect with yourself, a friend or family member
- Practice yoga, meditation or other self-calming activities
- Find a support group or therapist
A few other suggestions are:
- Walking in nature
- Journaling and self-reflection
- Drawing and painting by yourself or in a group
Mental Health Action Day
FYI: Thursday, May 18th, is Mental Health Action Day— a day to move from awareness to action. Another suggestion from Mental Health Action Network is: Take action to support systemic change that improves mental health access and equity. For more information about what this means, check out Mental Health Action Day
Here are more resources for you to explore.
Black Mental Health Alliance |
Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2023 | HHS.gov
10 Mental Health Awareness Month Activities
Peer Support and Wellness at TACID
Hopefully, you’re already aware of the TACID’s free peer support groups such as Building Healthy Boundaries and Cultivating PRIDE, and wellness activites such as Gentle Yoga Movement and Intuitive Painting. If you aren’t familiar with TACID, we hope you’ll check out the groups and services on our website: Wellness and Recovery Program
Take good care of yourself and we hope to see you soon!