May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health is an integral part of our overall well-being, and it plays a crucial role in our ability to lead a happy, fulfilling life. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to make sure we are acknowledging the benefits of good mental health. Good mental health allows us to cope with the ups and downs of life, manage stress, maintain healthy relationships, and achieve our goals. Conversely, poor mental health can lead to a range of physical and emotional problems. It is essential to prioritize our mental health by practicing self-care, seeking support when needed, and taking steps to reduce stress and improve our overall well-being. By doing so, we can improve our quality of life, enjoy greater happiness and fulfillment, and better cope with the challenges that life inevitably brings. Here are some resources, tips and more you can check out in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Resources
Now more than ever, there are countless ways to reach out for support for yourself and others. Here are just a few resources you can contact;
- Minnesota Warmline
- A safe, anonymous and confidential way to connect with people for non-emergencies by Mental Health Minnesota, an affiliate of Mental Health America.
- 1-877-404-3190 or text "Support" to 85511 noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
- A safe, anonymous and confidential way to connect with people for non-emergencies by Mental Health Minnesota, an affiliate of Mental Health America.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- NAMI can help you find resources for those with or without insurance.
- 1-888-NAMI-HELPS or 1-888-626-4435
- NAMI can help you find resources for those with or without insurance.
- CRISIS Text Line
- A free, 24/7 phone line for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Adult Services: 612-596-1223
- Child Services: 612-348-2233
- Mobile Phone: **CRISIS (274747) or text "MN" to 741741
- A free, 24/7 phone line for those experiencing a mental health crisis.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Behavioral Health Crisis
Have a Strong Support System of People Who Care About You
Getting help can be the hardest part, but you don't have to be alone. Building connection with friends, family, neighbors, and others can create strong social networks and provide a sense of belonging and community. Your ability to withstand trauma is increased when you are connected to strong social support.
Stay Active
Excercise has a huge positive impact on the quality of life of people affected by mental health issues. Exercise can improve mood, reduce stress, reduce anger, alleviate anxiety, and slow cognitive decline. Try switching to more active modes of transportation, like biking or walking. Additionally, doing active activites has the same impact with link between physical activity and mental health.
Have a Strong Support System of People Who Care About You
Increasing presence and time in green spaces can have positive mental health impacts. Research has shown that being in nature, even for short periods of time, can immediately improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety. Here are a few options on how;
- Find nature wherever you are
- Nature surrounds us. Explore your local park or neighborhood!
- Bring nature to you
- Try bringing plants into the house, buying pots of herbs from the supermarket, or growing flowers in your backyard or balcony.
- Join an environmental organization, or do environmentally-friendly actions
- Pick up litter while you walk around, volunteer to clean streets, parks, and/or beaches, support local organizations and volunteer time. These actions can help improve environmental conditions and give you a sense of purpose and control.
We hope this list is helpful in bringing awareness to the importance of mental health and that you're able to utilize a resource or implement something new into your routine to help you live your best, healthiest life!