did you know?
10 October is
World Mental Health Day
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
World Mental Health Day
10th October 2021
World Mental Health Day is the first day of World Mental Health Month and it was created to
raise more awareness around mental health illnesses that can affect every single one of us around the world, regardless of our age, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, nationalities, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, or even the stage of our lives.
2020, continuing well into 2021 and beyond has been a hard time on everyone,
not only having to adapt to so many changes
that this global pandemic has bought upon us,
but also having to deal with so much grief, trauma and loneliness
caused by the illness, the isolation, and the deaths of so many loved ones.
Now, more than ever,
is the time to not only take care of yourself by asking yourself if you are OK,
but to check on your family, your friends, your neighbours to ask them R U OK?
Share to us the places that you know about Mental Health Services in Malaysia.
5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
START A CONVERSATION
It can feel strange or awkward to reach out to someone who may need your assistance. But friends and family members may not feel comfortable asking for help. Therefore, one way to start a conversation is to simply ask your loved ones how they are doing.
You don’t have to make the conversation serious right away. Some ways to initiate a discussion like this include asking questions such as:
• How are you?
• Are you ok?
• Do you need to talk?
• What can I do to be there for you?
• Is there anything that you need from me?
• I want to know how you’re feeling because I care about you.
If someone you love has a mental health disorder, you can let them know that you’re there for them.
Spark a conversation by saying things like:
• What is your diagnosis?
• How do you feel about your diagnosis?
• What resources are helping you right now?
• What signs that you’re struggling can I be aware of?
• Can I support you in seeking treatment?
• How is your treatment going?
• Are there any aspects of your mental health that you don’t want to discuss with me?
Check in on your loved ones and find out if they need any support. Calling a friend who lives across the country or sending a text message to a few people from whom you haven’t heard in a while is an easy way to brighten someone’s day.
Remember that you don’t have to be their therapist. You don’t have to fix them. You don’t have to offer advice.
Just letting someone talk and reminding them that you’re there for them may be all that your loved one needs.
PRIORITIZE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Awareness Month is an ideal time to reflect on your own mental wellness. To evaluate your psychological health, consider asking yourself some of the questions from the previous section of this article.
If you’re not doing ok, reach out for help. Finding the right therapist can take some time. Don’t wait to get on the road to mental wellness. Seek support as soon as possible.
You can also make sure that your lifestyle supports your mental health. Some ways to enhance your physical and psychological wellness include:
• Getting enough sleep every night
• Eating nutrient-rich foods
• Cutting down on processed foods, sugars and alcohol
• Exercising regularly
• Practicing mindfulness
• Taking time for yourself
• Doing activities that you enjoy
This is also a good time to look at your boundaries. Do you often agree to things when you want to say no?
Do you surround yourself with toxic people? Take a moment to prioritize your desires and values, and hold those strong in your interpersonal relationships and throughout your life.
If you feel overwhelmed, consider taking a break. Perhaps you need a three-day vacation from the kids.
Maybe you need to take a few mental health days off of work. Make time to rest and rejuvenate so that you don’t slip into a rut.
DONATE OR VOLUNTEER
There are thousands of organizations that help promote mental health. Consider donating to one during this month. If your birthday falls in May, you could ask people to donate to a non-profit that supports mental wellness in lieu of giving you gifts.
The GREEN RIBBON GROUP holds walks and fundraising events around the country. The organization also hosts a convention that gathers mental health advocates for sharing, learning and networking.
You can also find out whether local organizations could benefit from you donating your resources or time. Domestic violence shelters often need household items. Some clinics need volunteers to answer crisis hotlines.
SHARE INFORMATION
Sharing information about mental wellness is a fantastic way to spread awareness. You could hand out fliers at fundraisers or schools. Find out if local organizations need help spreading the word about what they do.
Many people raise awareness about mental health issues using social media. A quick social media post is all it takes. You could share phone numbers, such as this one for the Befrienders in Malaysia.
The National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing Malaysia has some graphics and examples of social media messaging that you can quickly and easily share on your timeline.
If you don’t want to share information, you can be an audience for others who want to express themselves. Pick up a book about psychological disorders. Attend a webinar about addiction or mental wellness. Educating yourself may help you start up a conversation with someone who really needs it.
LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT THEY’RE NOT ALONE
Many people with mental health disorders feel isolated. They may think that no one understands them. They may have a diagnosis but be frustrated because their loved ones don’t really know what they’re going through.
If you’ve experienced mental health issues, consider sharing them in a safe environment. Even sharing a post on social media that expresses something that you’re struggling with could make someone else feel supported.
Some other ways to share aspects of your journey include:
• Attending a mental health support group
• Submitting your story to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Telling your colleagues or supervisor at work about your struggles and the support that you and others might need
Sharing your story shows others that it’s possible to manage a mental health condition. It also encourages others to talk openly about their battles. The more awareness that we can raise during this month, the more we can influence our society to make mental health a priority.