Throughout the year, there are many occasions to look out for your mental health and the mental health and wellness of others. You may already know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In January, however, we also honor National Mental Wellness Month. So what is this occasion meant to signify and how can we incorporate more mental wellness practices into our own lives?
The Meaning of National Mental Wellness Month
Every January, the entire country recognizes National Mental Wellness Month. January can be a challenging time of year for many people as the holidays wind down and the consequences of holiday spirit may begin to catch up with some individuals. In fact, the third Monday in January is often termed “Blue Monday” and is reported to be the “saddest day of the year,” according to the Cedars-Sinai Hospital’s Mental Health Center.
Blue Monday is associated with seasonal depression, which Cedars-Sinai postulates may be related to post-holiday credit card bills, weight gain, and loneliness. National Mental Wellness Month was put in place in part to serve as a reminder to look out for yourself and those around you. The month is all about bringing awareness to mental health disorders, breaking the stigma around behavioral health issues, and encouraging people to seek help.
Recognizing National Mental Wellness Month also helps to remind us that mental illness is more common than many people realize. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 20% of American adults experience mental illness in some way, shape, or form each year. That’s a huge number of people – in fact, it comes to over 14 million individuals!
Examples of mental health disorders include more common diagnoses like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and impulse control disorders. Less common diagnoses include schizophrenia, kleptomania, and paranoia. Adults and children across the spectrum of economic status, race, geography, and sexuality can experience mental health concerns.
In other words, mental wellness is a pressing issue that can affect you and others that you know and care about. Learning more about mental health and wellness, including how to support yourself and the people around you, is a crucial component of National Mental Wellness Month.
Ways to Honor National Mental Wellness Month
Wondering how to celebrate National Mental Wellness Month and incorporate healthful practices into your own life this January? Here are a few tips from the licensed mental health providers at Triumph Behavioral Health…
Start a Journal: Writing about things you are grateful for as well as stressful events and occurrences in your life has been shown to improve your mental health. A 2006 study out of Western Michigan University found that young adults who wrote in a journal at least twice a week saw reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and hostility.
Volunteer: Did you know that 45% of people who volunteer experience an increased sense of purpose? Additionally, Forbes reports that 26% of people who volunteered or supported a charitable cause saw improved mental well being. During National Mental Wellness Month, there are many ways to volunteer. You can contact a local mental health organization to volunteer your services. You could also volunteer at a shelter, food bank, or another local resource. You might even try volunteering to read in an elementary school classroom – consider choosing a children’s book about mental health!
Practice Self Care: It’s hard to help others with mental health and wellness if you are not prioritizing your own. Try to carve out time each day for a little bit of self care. This can be as simple as taking a short walk around the block, reading a chapter of a book, or even just lighting a candle with a relaxing scent that you love. Put yourself first this month!
Start a Conversation: One of the biggest objectives of Mental Wellness Month is breaking the stigma around mental health and seeking treatment. The good news is that starting and participating in conversations around mental health is probably one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to honor Mental Wellness Month. Spread positive, truthful perspectives about who, how, and why people might experience mental health concerns and how individuals can get help from a local mental health provider.
Educate Yourself About Mental Health: Mental Wellness Month is also a great opportunity to learn more about holistic health. To learn more about important, current mental health topics, you could try listening to one of these popular mental health podcasts. Prefer reading to listening? Explore the Triumph Behavioral Health blog for all of the latest in the behavioral health sphere.
Seek Help If Needed: The best way to honor Mental Wellness Month is to explore the benefits of psychotherapy and mental health care for yourself. If you are not already working with a behavioral health practitioner, consider looking for a therapist near me. Through behavioral health services, you can explore options like psychotherapy, medication management, or other holistic wellness practices.
Triumph Behavioral Health: Your Local Psychiatric Provider
Are you located in the area in and around Baltimore County, Maryland? At Triumph Behavioral Health, we serve clients in Linthicum Heights, Arbutus, Towson, Howard County, Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Owings Mills, Catonsville, and the surrounding area. We offer a range of services, including therapy for depression and anxiety, sleep disorder treatment, medication management, treatment plan for schizophrenia, autism therapy, therapy for bipolar disorder, and so much more.
Looking to find a therapist? Our practitioners are some of the premier mental health providers in Maryland. Our Maryland wellness center is a place where every individual is heard, seen, and encouraged to live their most fulfilling life. We truly care about every person who walks through our doors, and we will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan catered to your unique needs and preferences.
With Triumph Behavioral Health, you can even schedule a therapy appointment online and get a same week therapy appointment. We want to make mental health care as easy and accessible as possible. So go ahead, reach out to us today and take the first step toward your better tomorrow. At Triumph, we care.