What Mental Health Awareness Month is November?
November is Men’s Health Awareness Month and with it comes various efforts to create a defense for men’s health. It’s a time to raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health issues and suicide prevention.
This is an important topic to talk about, as men are three times more likely than women to commit suicide. However, the stigma that exists around men’s mental health can be a major barrier to seeking treatment.
Men’s Health Awareness Month
Men’s Health Awareness Month is a time to promote and encourage men and boys to be proactive about their health. It’s a great time to promote healthy lifestyles and habits, such as exercise, eating right, and self-care.
Men lead the death rate for many diseases and illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and suicide. The goal of Men’s Health Month is to help change those statistics.
Men often have less support than women when it comes to dealing with mental illness, which is why it’s so important for them to seek treatment. Therapy can be a great way to help men find their strength and learn how to manage their emotions.
National Suicide Prevention Week
While suicide prevention is a year-round concern, National Suicide Prevention Week provides a dedicated time to come together and learn about the issue. It is a time to educate people about suicide risk and warning signs, as well as discuss how to support someone who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Suicide is a mental health issue that can affect anyone, no matter age, gender or background. It can be a difficult topic to talk about, but it’s never too late to start a conversation.
World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day is held every year on 10 September and it was created by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
WSPD aims to create awareness and action around suicides. This is done by educating people about mental health and suicide, as well as decreasing stigma about it.
The theme for WSPD 2020 is “Creating Hope Through Action.” This highlights the need for collective, global action on suicide. All of us — family members, friends, colleagues, co-workers, community members, educators, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, political officials, and governments – can make an impact on suicide.
National Depression Education and Awareness Month
Depression is a serious, life-altering mental illness that affects millions of people around the world. It’s important to learn about depression and recognize the symptoms.
The more you know, the more likely you are to help those you care about when they are struggling with this disease.
Symptoms can include feeling sad or hopeless, worthlessness, excessive guilt, loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances, pain, appetite changes, weight gain/loss, fatigue, concentration issues, thoughts of suicide.
National Depression Education and Awareness Month is a time to focus on educating individuals about this illness. It is also an opportunity to get screened for depression.
International Stress Awareness Day
Stress is a normal part of life, but too much can have damaging effects on our health. It can increase our risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as physical conditions such as gastrointestinal illnesses or heart disease.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage stress and reduce its impact on your life. For example, it is helpful to journal about your feelings or speak with a friend or therapist.
It’s also important to understand that if you have stress, it isn’t your fault. It’s often the result of other factors, such as a change in routine or a traumatic event.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Each year on December 3th, the United Nations recognizes International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues worldwide. The observance promotes the rights of people with disabilities and encourages inclusion in society.
People with disabilities are more likely to die prematurely and experience poorer health than able-bodied individuals. This is largely due to the barriers they face in their daily lives, including discrimination and poverty.
