7 Actions to Take During Mental Health Awareness Week

Community

7 Actions to Take During Mental Health Awareness Week

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re paving a new path. Instead of stigma and silence, the one in five Americans who experience some form of mental illness deserve our understanding and acceptance. That’s why Valley Oaks Health is joining Mental Health America in their seven actions for awareness and advocacy.

If you’re up for the challenge, download our 7 Days, 7 Actions Pledge to share on social media and show you’re an advocate for mental health awareness.

Challenge your beliefs

Rethink the way you understand mental health and mental illness. Start using “person first” language, meaning you prioritize the identity of individuals over their mental health status. Instead of describing someone as a “schizophrenic,” refer to them as a “person with schizophrenia.”

Act on advocacy

Share your story, lift up the voices of others, and take steps to promote mental health awareness and resources in your community. To learn more about being an active advocate, explore these resources from Speak Up.

Support others

A strong support system improves a person’s overall mental health and increases their ability to bounce back from stressful situations. Check out these tips for building a successful support system.

Engage in self-care

While helping others is a critical part of mental health awareness and advocacy, your well-being matters too. Finding ways to decompress and relax can help you better manage stress and keep your mental health a priority.

Get screened

Screening for mental health conditions should be as normal as screenings for heart disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions. Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of a serious condition.

Get mental health into the debates

Use your voice on social media to tweet hosts and moderators. Ask them to bring mental health into the spotlight during upcoming national and local debates.

Give

Whether you give time, money, or resources, what you have to offer can make a difference. Buy a coffee for a friend and hear their worries. Volunteer with at-risk children and be a cheerleader for their success. And remember to carry what you’ve done this week into every week.

October 2, 2020

Perfectionism: Understanding the Hidden Mental Health Risk

•

Conditions

Perfectionism is often seen as a positive trait that pushes us to achieve and excel. But when the pursuit of perfection becomes an obsession, it can have serious consequences for mental health. Perfectionism can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and a sense of inadequacy that’s hard to shake.

Beyond Physicals: How Regular Checkups Aid Mental Wellness

•

Treatment

When we think of health screenings, we often consider them solely as a tool for catching physical illnesses early. However, regular checkups also play a significant role in supporting mental wellbeing. Beyond helping prevent and manage physical health conditions, screenings can reduce anxiety, provide peace of mind, and encourage a proactive approach to health that benefits both mind and body.

From Imposter Syndrome to Confidence: Overcoming Self-Doubt

•

Self-Care

Have you ever felt like a fraud, worried that your achievements are just luck, and feared that others will eventually discover you’re not as competent as they think? If so, you’re not alone.

Perfectionism: Understanding the Hidden Mental Health Risk

•

Conditions

Beyond Physicals: How Regular Checkups Aid Mental Wellness

•

Treatment

From Imposter Syndrome to Confidence: Overcoming Self-Doubt

•

Self-Care

Have you ever felt like a fraud, worried that your achievements are just luck, and feared that others will eventually discover you’re not as competent as they think? If so, you’re not alone.

Your Body’s Warning Signals: When Physical Symptoms Indicate Mental Health Issues

•

Self-Care

It’s easy to overlook physical symptoms when thinking about mental health. We often associate mental health with emotions or thoughts rather than the aches, pains, or discomforts that show up in the body. But the mind and body are linked, leading physical symptoms to sometimes be early indicators of underlying mental health issues.