Learning about our mental health and what we need to support our wellbeing takes time. It’s important to make mental health an ongoing priority in our lives, take care of ourselves, know when to get help, and share our own stories about mental health when possible.
Prioritizing self-care and emotional wellbeing as part of your daily routine can help you learn more about your mental health and wellness, feel more comfortable talking about mental health, and access helpful resources that are available when you need them. As a result, your efforts will help you:
▪ Build connection.
▪ Foster the feeling that you are not alone.
▪ Make space to gain perspective on the difficulty you’re experiencing.
Week 4: Additional Resources
▪ This guide by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a broad approach for things we can do—at our own pace, in our own time, and within our own abilities—that can help support us in our wellness journey. Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness (https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4958.pdf)
▪ Having conversations around mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference. Not sure where to start? Check out these tips and tools from Seize the Awkward (https://seizetheawkward.org/conversation/starting-the-conversation)
to help you start the conversation and what to do during and after the conversation.
#YouMatterMN
▪ Offering support is one of the best things that we can do to support the mental wellbeing of friends and family. However, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. The Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends (https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/friends-supporting-friends-visible/) gives ideas on what support can look like, how to offer support, and where to begin.
#YouMatterMN
source: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/mhawarenessmonth.html