Support Your Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Month was established by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949. Since then, MHA has led the effort every May to promote mental wellness nationwide. This year’s theme — More Good Days, Together — encourages us all to reflect on what a “good” day looks like for ourselves and our communities. 

MHA has several resources on its website, including a mental health test, a list of local support services, and a learning hub. 

How can you support better mental health?

• Go for a walk: Movement is an important tool for supporting well-being. Find ways to move that you enjoy. Even a 15-minute walk can make a big difference in your mental and physical health.

• Practice self-compassion: We tend to be the hardest on ourselves. Try speaking to yourself as you would to a friend who is struggling. Be kind and patient. Flip the script when a negative thought enters your mind. 

• Talk to friends: Make a commitment to call, email, or get together with a close friend or family member. A study that followed participants for 20 years found that a person’s level of happiness was related to the happiness of their social networks. A low level of social interaction was found to have an impact on lifespan equivalent to smoking nearly a pack of cigarettes a day.

• Take a nature break: Spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes, including improved focus, lower stress, better mood, and a reduced risk of developing a mental health condition. If you aren't able to get outside, bring greenery to you by adding a plant to your space. Some, like snake plants and bamboo palms, can purify the air.

• Spend time on a hobby: Hobbies aren’t just about having fun; they can also support your well-being. Research suggests that hobbies support good mental health and can even reduce symptoms of stress, depression, and/or anxiety for some people.

• Get quality sleep: Generally, good sleep quality is defined by: falling asleep within 30 minutes of getting into bed, waking up no more than once per night, sleeping the recommended number of hours for your age group, falling back asleep within 20 minutes if you wake up, and feeling rested, restored, and energized upon waking in the morning.

In the spirit of this year's Mental Health Awareness Month theme, use one of these MHA journaling prompts to make today a good day:

1. Name one small action that a friend, loved one, or community member has taken to brighten your day recently. Why was it special to you?

2. Make a “good day” list. List 15 things that would make tomorrow a good day for you. Don’t limit yourself, and don’t be afraid to embrace the simple things and/or dream big. Then, choose 3 things from the list and think about how you can make them a reality. Is there a goal that you could start on today to make any of them possible for your future self?

3. Good days can be created through a combination of healthy choices, moment-to-moment. What helps you to make the best decisions for yourself throughout the day? Think about every aspect of your well-being. How could your sleep schedule, healthy relationships, and physical movement create an opportunity for a brighter day?

I hope you find the tips above helpful. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.