May is Mental Health Month! Giving opportunity for everyone to have a little bit of a share in removing stigma and discrimination from the mental health community. How? By simply speaking up and sharing your story. Your life experience as a survivor of serious, debilitating, life-threatening conditions ranging from substance abuse and addiction to many different forms of mental illness.
May is a month long advocacy endeavor nationwide. You don’t have to speak to thousands or hundreds of people, you don’t have to stand on a podium or soapbox. You don’t have to shout out loud in the streets about your diagnosis. Being involved can be simply: self-awareness as you educate yourself…a little more fun maybe: a different technique or tool that will help support us in the our crisis. It isn’t about how much we do this month. It is important that we “consider”doing something; whether big or little…How is your month going thus far?
What will you and/or your family do together this May (and beyond) to contribute positively to your mental health and to that of your peers?
Some of us suffer emotionally and mentally due to loss. All of us could say: we have lost someone or something at one time or another in life. Loss can be devastating and rob of us of joy. However, cultivating gratitude and contentment for what we do still have or whom may still be an important part of our lives, helps us stay balanced and not consumed by our personal grief.
Taking the time each day, week or month to positively reflect and write down a list of who/what we are grateful for and what is going “good” right in this moment of time is beneficial to our mental, emotional, physical, spiritual well-being.
Here’s my simple list of 5:
1. Life is a precious gift
2. Each morning is a opportunity for a do over
3. Having enough food, water, air
4. Smiles of family, friends and neighbors
5. Sunshine and rain
What are your top 5?
How are you embracing Mental Health Month with family & friends?