7 Simple Ways to Celebrate World Mental Health Day Everyday!

Did you know the world has observed World Mental Health Day on October 10th since 1992?

World Mental Health Day is a vital initiative created by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) an organization present in over 150 countries.

World Mental Health Day is an invitation to:

• ENVISION a world where mental health is a priority for all people
• BUILD awareness and advocate against social stigma
• IGNITE the discussion on best practices for promoting mental health in the school, home, and workplace
• CELEBRATE those who have or are overcoming mental health challenges
• and EMPOWER those who live in silence for fear of being discovered, misunderstood, or deprived of essential care

Depression affects 350 million people worldwide. 1 in 5 New Yorkers experiences a mental health disorder in a given year. A large percentage of public high school students report feeling sad or hopeless on a daily basis. Stress-related medical conditions and diminished productivity in the workplace costs U.S. businesses around $300 billion a year!

Mental health affects all aspects of our lives — and will affect someone we know! We can and MUST all do something to help shed a more positive light on mental health.

Wondering how you can observe this day for yourself? Here are 7 WAYS to do so:

1.    MAKE A PLEDGE, starting NOW, that you will make your mental health a priority every day. Shift or remove negative distractions that poorly affect your mental health and emotional stability.

2.    PRACTICE SELF-CARE by performing, at least, ONE good habit each day that nourishes your mental health. Regular exercise, eating healthy, meditation, seeking counseling, volunteering, journaling, and expressing daily gratitude are just a few of the effective and inexpensive self-care practices available to you.

3.    REGISTER FOR A GROUP THERAPY WORKSHOP focused on your needs and interests.

And how you can observe the day with your local community?

4.    SPREAD AWARENESS on the importance of mental health and help stop the stigma around the issue.

5.    REACH OUT to a loved one who has been facing challenging times and offer your support. Let them know why you value them.

6.    SIGN the WFMH Mentally Healthy Workplace Pledge or discuss at your next team meeting.

7.    PARTICIPATE in the Thrive NYC initiative to fight mental illness. They provide Mental Health First Aid trainings, mental health plans, and a 24hr text/hotline to name a few.

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If you would like to read and share more encouraging news on mental health around the world here are a few of my personal favorites:

• In Japan: companies are hiring more employees who suffer from mental illness
• In Zimbabwe: the “Friendship Bench” offers a unique blueprint for mental health treatment
• In Great Britain: an innovative a mental health gym makes a world of difference

Recognizing that we need support is just one step — finding the right therapist or support group is an even more difficult step!

Celebrate this World Mental Health Day by making a positive difference in the life of a millennial woman! Take advantage of the MILLENNIAL MINDS! SUPPORT GROUP FOR MILLENNIAL WOMEN discount.

There’s only 1 DAY left to benefit from this discount!

We’re stronger together!

The S Word Can Kill You

Stigma and silence have power. But acceptance and sharing are even more powerful.

Are you one of many millennials suffering in silence? Even a decade ago, when many millennials would have been in high school or about to start their undergraduate careers, data showed that they suffered the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950’s!

Today, and due to a lack of targeted mental wellness resources, many millennials do not know where to turn for help. Stigma causes many others to believe that their struggles are not that serious. Please believe that stigma is one of the main reasons that silences people and prevents them from seeking help. Stigma can kill!

At Counseling Space, P.C., we are here to remind you that you are not alone. Those feelings you are struggling with are not a passing thing. They are not “wrong.” They are worth talking about.

While some are lucky to have family and friends who are willing to support, their help can only go but so far. One-on-one sessions with a trained mental wellness professional, or attending a group session facilitated by such a professional, ensure that recovery is one step closer! A trained mental wellness professional is:

• Unbiased
• Able to notice patterns
• Equipped to teach emotional management and coping skills (see T-Kea’s video testimonial)
• Fitted to relieve your burden of responsibility by offering you a safe space to be as honest, authentic and vulnerable as necessary

Being honest about where you stand emotionally and mentally does not make you weak. Your honesty will empower you for your overdue breakthrough! There is no shame in asking for help from a professional or from like-minded peers in a facilitated group setting. Please speak up if you are struggling!

If you or a millennial woman you know is in need of support NOW, we encourage you to sign up for our MILLENNIAL MINDS! Support Group for Millennial Women. Our group is designed to enhance self-awareness, improve mental well-being, explore problem-solving techniques and MORE!

If you are looking for more information about the support group, visit our EVENTBRITE page. If you are seeking more information on millennial mental health, visit our blog to follow our Millennial Monday Blog Series. Lastly, please feel free to share the information in this post with those you believe it would benefit.

We look forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to our support group! As T-Kea mentioned in the video, let’s THRIVE together!

Have a great week!