Mental Health Month and Who Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is a global day of mental health education, awareness and advocacy. The event was first celebrated by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992. It is an international day that celebrates mental health and helps fight against the stigma that surrounds it.
Storytelling can provide mental health benefits
Stories can have a profound effect on your mental health. Telling your story can help you better integrate emotions, improve memory, and decrease stress.
Using storytelling in therapy can be an effective way to treat memory disorders. For example, reminiscence therapy uses stories to increase cognitive functions and positive thinking. During the process, patients and therapists cultivate a deeper understanding of their experiences and increase empathy.
Stories can also be used to support youth during a mental health crisis. Researchers have shown that stories can reduce anxiety and stress, and that listening to stories can improve sleep quality in adults.
Stories can be used in individual sessions, or in a group setting. Research has demonstrated that storytelling can reduce depressive symptoms in up to 50% of patients.
Volunteering for mental health organizations
Volunteering for mental health organizations is a great way to improve your own mental health while helping others. It’s also a great way to meet new people and boost your social skills.
The fact is that a lot of people need help with their mental health. Oftentimes, it’s hard for families to find the right care for their loved ones. This is why many experts believe that the need for help is even more acute today.
There are a number of organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. Some of them require you to commit a certain amount of time per week or month. These organizations may also need your help with fundraisers or mailings.
Another great idea is to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Not only will you be able to provide emotional support to the animals you’ll be caring for, you’ll be a great asset to the shelter’s mission.
Building life skills in children and adolescents
Adolescence is an important time of life, where a person stretches their interpersonal relationships beyond family. It is also a period of rapid physiological changes and psychosocial maturation. During this stage, adolescents need to learn to deal with challenges and make the most of opportunities.
Life skills are adaptive behaviors that enable individuals to handle stress, cope with daily problems, and develop healthy relationships. Those who use these skills are more likely to achieve personal and academic goals.
The core set of life skills includes creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Creative thinking involves originality and fluency, while problem solving involves evaluating alternatives and weighing options.
Effective communication skills are essential for adolescents to express themselves effectively. This helps them identify the sources of stress, understand their own needs, and request assistance. By expressing their feelings in a positive way, they can better control their stress levels.
Promoting mental health in the workplace
If you are an employer, it is important to promote mental health in the workplace on Who Mental Health Day, October 10. It is a way to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage employees to speak up about their concerns.
The first step in promoting mental health in the workplace is to establish a team that can offer resources and information. This may include a work group, a team of employees, or a mental health professional.
Employers should also provide training to managers. This training should focus on preventing discrimination against workers with mental health conditions. Managers should also be encouraged to speak openly about mental health in the workplace.
Companies should also create a quiet room for employees to recharge. A dedicated space is not connected to a wireless internet signal.
Reasons why mental health is still taboo
There are a number of reasons why mental health is still taboo. Many people don’t want to discuss their mental illnesses because they fear the stigma that surrounds them. However, speaking openly about your struggles can be empowering. It can also encourage others to speak out about their own issues.
If you think someone in your life is suffering from a mental illness, you can encourage them to seek help. You can share your own experiences with therapy. This can help reduce the stigma surrounding the issue.
A common misconception is that mental health is a weakness. People are sometimes told to’snap out of it’ or that they are cowards. However, most mental health disorders do not have a single cause. They can be caused by trauma, genetics, brain chemistry, and many other factors.
