May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which we have celebrated since 1949! It is occasionally observed to bring attention to the significance of mental health in the community.
Even though we have been celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month for a long time, it still needs to get the attention it deserves. That’s why you should look out for ways to celebrate this important month! Get ready to learn about the activities that promote mental health understanding.
What is Mental Health Awareness?
Mental health awareness means acknowledging, destigmatizing, and addressing the challenges related to mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month, which is May, is specifically dedicated to literate people with the knowledge and resources for mental health. Understanding our mental well-being and removing the stigma around it is important to making progress in society.
Julia Kristina, a registered clinical counselor with an MA in psychology counseling, says that humans should be able to converse about mental health without getting uncomfortable. She quotes:
“We can have real conversations about the deep things within us that we’re struggling with, but we don’t have to get weird about it. We all have thoughts. We all have emotions. And none of us have this human thing all figured out.”
Engaging Activities to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month (2024)
1. Visit Community Workshops
Why not go to a community or area workshop where you can understand and learn techniques to overcome any mental health issue or learn to navigate if any problem that you are facing might be a symptom of a mental health condition?
Through these workshops, you can learn self-care techniques and information about fostering better mental well-being for yourself and the people around you.
2. Take a Mental Health Course
Mental health first aid courses help promote mental health literacy among individuals. You can learn from detecting mental health symptoms to understand how to support a person with a condition.
3. Focus on Mindfulness Activities
Whether you are going through a mental health condition or not, it’s always nice for your well-being to take a pause and focus on the surroundings around you. This can happen by following easy mindfulness activities like yoga, meditation, gratitude journaling, etc.
If you are an expert or someone who is experienced in mindfulness activities, then you can even try to arrange yoga, meditation, or art therapy classes this mental health awareness month! Many studies indicate that mindfulness is positively associated with psychological health, meaning that following mindfulness activities can have positive psychological effects like reducing stress and enhancing mental focus!
4. Host or Go To Mental Health Webinars
There are different webinars or talks where we discuss different mental health issues and conditions, but particularly in Mental Health Awareness Month, you can find a wider range of webinars hosted by mental health professionals, holistic experts, and others that advocate mental health literacy and provide valuable information to all.
By going through these seminars, either alone or with your known ones, you can understand mental health conditions, which can help you identify your condition and help those around you
5. Support Mental Health NGOs and Charities
You can look out in your area to support a mental health charity or NGO that supports mental health awareness. But if you cannot or want to help the charity with only financial resources, you can join an NGO and engage in its community. This can also be very helpful for charities, which usually seek recruits to join their groups.
6. Advocate for Mental Health at Work
In the hustle and bustle of performing at their best, many companies do not acknowledge or pay attention to their employees’ mental health.
Yes, the competition is tough, but companies should realize the importance of a person’s well-being. They should start introducing policies and guidelines and find other ways to practice mental health in workplaces.
Dr. Kyra Bobinet, MD, MPH, a physician, public health leader, healthcare executive, and behavioral expert, says that her company practices mindfulness through meditation because it increases the performance of individuals as they get relaxed. She quotes:
“What we do in our company is that our team meetings start with ten minutes of mindfulness meditation, and I do this because it is a performance play; it is increasing our performance as a company as individuals, and it also reduces stress. Those kinds of things.”
7. Invite Mental Health Professionals in Your Area
You can attend webinars and seminars, but how about taking an initiative for your community this mental health awareness month by inviting guest speakers, advocates, and individuals who know about mental health?
Even hosting a small event with both professionals and people with mental health experience will be able to engage people as they share their experiences and knowledge regarding mental health and recovery.
Conclusion
Mental Health Awareness Month illuminates the importance of mental conditions and reminds us to perform our tasks in society to let people know that mental health is just as important as physical well-being. These activities can inspire you to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Month 2024?
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Month for 2024 is “Where to Start: Managing Mental Health in Modern Times.” This topic can tackle how we think about our mental health in the world of technology and how we can manage proper well-being today.
Q. What is the history of Mental Health Awareness Month?
Mental Health Awareness Month was first celebrated in May 1949 to increase mental health awareness and celebrate people’s journeys with mental health conditions. It was started after President Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act in 1946.
Q. When is Mental Health Awareness Week 2024?
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 is from May 13 to May 19. This year’s theme is “Movement: Moving More for Our Mental Health.”