In the past few days, I have exposed my most vulnerable self by sharing personal information. Unfortunately, my relationship with family is guarded, cautious, private and protected. Putting yourself in a protective shield is not always the best approach. Your mind can play tricks on you and negative thoughts can permeate your sphere! I am proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week.
This is a week where Jackie Robinson, host of the Trip of Change Podcast join the rest of the world to highlight the fight for better mental health & raise awareness of mental illness & how we can look after ourselves & others. This is especially a hard time for seniors who have lost a loved one and are living alone.
History of Mental Health Awareness Week
In the beginning, National Mental Health Awareness Week had no specific theme. Its aims were quite general in terms of promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public on relevant mental health issues. But after a few years, a theme was allocated to every Mental Health Awareness Week. The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness campaigns globally.
Mental Health Awareness Week is open to each individual. It is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect our sanity. The week is also a chance to talk about any aspect of mental health that people want to, regardless of the theme.
Types of Mental Illnesses include:
Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias; depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders; eating disorders; personality disorders; post-traumatic stress disorder; and psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia.
What you can do during national mental health awareness week
Reach out to friends and relatives
In National Mental Health Awareness Week you can start by talking to your friends and relatives. You don’t have to openly talk about mental illness, but you can just slide it in the conversation, and listen to their responses. You can understand whether or not they need mental health support. If you feel so, then guide them on how to get professional help.
Read about mental health
Mental health is a really tricky subject and therefore it’s very important to learn more about it before advising your friends and relatives on it. Try to read as many books on the subject this National Mental Health Awareness Week so that you have a better understanding of mental illness before you talk about it to others.
Visit your therapist
You can take time off work during National Mental Health Awareness Week and visit your therapist. Your therapist can assess your situation and let you know whether you personally need any help or not. Also, they can give you professional and sound advice, which will help you when you’re talking to or advising your friends and relatives about mental health.
