Why World Mental Health Day Matters
Why World Mental Health Day Matters
Today is the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Day 2022. Happy World Mental Health Day from your friends at Straight Up Health! With the fast-paced lives many of us live, it is important to take a moment and think about why this day matters. See below for some reasons we think World Mental Health Day Matters!
Because everyone has mental health…
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Sometimes ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ are used as if they mean the same thing, but they do not. Not everyone has mental illness, but everyone has mental health (just like everyone has physical health)! When we talk about mental health, we’re talking about our mental well-being: our emotions, our thoughts and feelings, our ability to solve problems and overcome difficulties, our social connections, and our understanding of the world around us. Just like with physical health, there are different degrees of mental health. People move on a continuum ranging from great or good health to so-so health to poor health to illness or disability. Our mental health will vary throughout our lives due to a number of factors but it is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Because stigma still exists…
A mental illness is a mental health condition that affects the way people think, feel, behave, or interact with others. There are lots of different mental illnesses, and they have different symptoms that impact peoples’ lives in various ways. There are many reasons why people develop mental illness: some are genetic or biological; some are a result of childhood trauma or overwhelming stress at school, work, or home; some stem from environmental injustice or violence; and sometimes, we simply don’t know. Regardless of the reasons, these are health problems just like cancer, arthritis or diabetes, but yet, people often look at mental illness differently and in a negative light. The reason for this is: stigma.
Stigma is when someone views someone in a negative way because of a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be a disadvantage (a negative stereotype). Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental illness are common. Mental illness has a long history of being stigmatized in societies around the globe. Research has shown that stigma is one of the leading risk factors contributing to poor mental health outcomes. Stigma leads to delays in treatment and reduces the chances that a person with mental illness will receive appropriate and adequate care. Stigma can also lead to discrimination, marginalization and oppression. Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear and days like World Mental Health Day provide us with an opportunity to learn about and teach others about mental health and mental illness in order to break down the stigma!
Because Mental Illness is a GLOBAL issue…
Did you know that depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents around the world? Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world with over 77% of global suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries in 2019.
Despite many mental health conditions being treatable at relatively low costs, the gap between people needing care and those with access to care remains substantial across the globe. People with severe mental health conditions die as much as two decades prematurely. Mental health plays a pivotal role in achieving global development goals and thus, increased attention and investment in mental health initiatives are crucial. As stated by the World Health Organization: “Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need”.
Because it provides us with an opportunity to share tips!
We asked the mental health professionals at Straight up Health to each share a tip on how to prioritize mental health. See below for their answers!
“You can check in with yourself before bed or first thing in the mornings, to create more self awareness by asking/writing:
1. (Basic needs Qs) am I eating/sleeping enough
2. (Social Qs) do I need alone time? Do I need connection?
3. (Emotion Qs) what am I feeling? How intense is my feeling from 1-5.
4. (Reflective Qs) what did I notice after going to that yoga class? When did my feelings get more intense? How to I feel when I’m at school/work/home. How does movement help me? What am I grateful for today? What feels challenging today?” - Avallon Leopold
“Keep one small promise to yourself per day, to build self trust.” - Jake Ernst
“No phone 1 hour before bed.” - Mandi Nicholson
“Practice taking pauses throughout the day and ask yourself, “what does my body need?”- Water? Rest? A stretch? Taking care of your body is also taking care of your mental health.” - Stefanie Rico
“I find it helpful to carve out time to check in with my mind and body daily. What is it that I'm feeling right now? What is it that I'm needing in this moment? Then I try to listen and honor those needs without judgement. It may sound like a simple practice, but often requires a lot of self-compassion!”- Brittney Lentini
“A tip that I would encourage each and everyone of my clients to do is to take a moment and check in with yourself. Notice how that feels to check in. Notice if you’re feeling well or unwell. Notice if you’re feeling angry or stressed. Notice if you’re hungry or thirsty. Notice if you’re lonely or tired.
If you can start to notice these aspects of yourself, then also notice whether you are able to honor and offer yourself whatever you may be needing at this moment in time. And if you’re unable to, I would encourage you to explore why it’s so difficult for you to do so or to even reach out for help with someone that you trust to explore this aspect with you. This check in could be a wonderful way to consider the state of your mental health and to see whether there needs to be a shift.” - Susan Tang
“One tip I use to prioritize my mental health is to create quiet, mindful moments (30-60 seconds) in my day where I block out all noise and distractions and connect with my mind, my body and my mood. I check in with how I am feeling and ask myself what I need today and in this moment.” - Alyssa Held
Looking for more tips? Book an appointment with one of our mental health professionals today.
Contact Straight up Health at hi@straightuphealth.ca or 647-250-7579.
Today and everyday, let’s support each other, educate each other, break down stigma, and give our mental health the attention it deserves!