Why it’s important to take action for our mental health year round
Aaron Campbell
Every year Mental Health Awareness Week presents a great opportunity to both talk about and take steps to look after our own mental health. This year's theme of ‘action’ really emphasised the importance of actively looking after ourselves and others.
Awareness weeks in general bring us together for a shared cause or collective challenge that we face, with the goal of striving to make a change for the better. But what happens now? How we do keep the momentum of what was a meaningful week, full of conversation and openness about our mental health and wellbeing?
Continue to take action
It’s important that we don’t just view awareness weeks as their own self-contained events, but instead as platforms from which we can continue to do great work. As we’ve learnt from the theme of Action this year, even small actions can result in big change. Some ways in which we can continue to take action include:
- Incorporating actions for good mental health into our everyday routine.
- Sending a letter to your MP asking what action they are taking for mental health.
- Starting/continuing conversations with friends and family about their mental health.
- Donating to the mental health foundation to support us in continuing to create a mentally healthier nation.
By continuing to take action, whether for ourselves, others, or all of us, we are carrying on the momentum started during the week.
Commit to being part of the change
There is the famous saying that goes “be the change you want to see”. When it comes to mental health we can all be positive examples of people looking after themselves and practicing healthy habits. By just committing to be more mindful and taking time out of your day (even 5 minutes) to support your mental health it will not only improve your own wellbeing but could also inspire those around you to be more proactive about looking after themselves. You can check out both our quick actions you can do daily as well as more long-term actions to help improve your mental health over time.
Committing to being part of the change also looks like continuing to be a part of the conversation. Just because Mental Health Awareness Week is over doesn’t mean the discussion around mental health is. The fact is inequalities, challenges and stigma all still exist and one of the best ways we can influence change is by having year-round discussions about the importance of good mental health. If you feel confident, share your own journey with others, share useful resources you see online with friends, family, and colleagues alike, check in with those around you. These are all great ways to help ensure that the conversation around mental health doesn’t just fizzle out.
Mental health is year-round
All of us at some point will experience poor mental health. Whether that is because we live with mental health condition or because we had a particularly rough day at work or at school, highs and lows are a natural part of life and they happen all year round, not on a set schedule. Mental Health Awareness Week is about raising awareness, not just for that one week in May but for always. A single campaign over one week is not going to miraculously fix mental health for everyone, no matter how successful the campaign is. But if it can be the spark that ignites real, long-lasting and meaningful change then it has done its job. All the resources created for the campaign don’t just disappear overnight, they are there, available, for whenever you or someone you know might need them.
There are many ways that you can get involved and support our work of creating a mentally healthier nation for more click here.