Say NO to Mental Health Stigma

*Collaborative post.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and it runs from Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May 2022. Mental Health Foundation has declared the theme of the week to be exploring the effects of loneliness on our mental health, and the steps that can be taken to reduce the mentally draining effects of loneliness in our communities. Loneliness has always been a big issue for many people, especially in the western world. Many people can easily go for weeks without seeing anyone, and with the current health crisis, those weeks could go on for even longer. Loneliness is another silent pandemic going on, and a lot more needs to be done to combat the devastating effects of loneliness on mental health.

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Say NO to Mental Health Stigma

As a society, we are now more open to therapy, and more and more people now openly talk about their mental health issues both online and offline. This is a massive step in the right direction; the more people talk about their mental health issues, the less the stigma. Having said that, a lot more needs to be done to raise more awareness on mental health issues. It is still an uncomfortable subject for many and that should not be the case. There’s a lot going on in our world today and we need to understand that the human mind is so strong yet so fragile. Taking care of our mental health should be at the top of every list.

However, the reality is many people still suffer in silence because of the stigma associated with mental health distress, and many are still hesitant to seek help. Finding the right online therapist covered by your insurance is not an easy feat, and because it’s not, many never get around to doing it. This leads to more mental health decline, and it just goes on and on. This is why companies like Headway are doing an amazing job helping people find therapists covered by their insurance because that takes away the added financial burden of paying for your therapy. Headway takes the pressure off the search and the payment and allows you to focus on finding the right online therapy that accepts insurance and cares for your mental health.

Ways to Care for your Mental Health Today

Here are some coping skills and resources you could check out in between your therapy sessions:

Talk about it

Connecting with others is great for our mental health. If you are struggling in any way, speak to a trusted friend, colleague, or family member.

Stay physically active

You can do this by dancing, exercising, doing chores around the house, going for runs/walks, and pretty much anything that gets you moving. The benefits of staying physically active are great for our overall health.

Have a healthy diet

Diet can affect our physical health as well as our mental health. So ensure you eat well and drink well.

You can read up on more mental health and well-being tips here. The tips are all tried and tested, so there should be a couple you could implement from today.

Taking Care of your Mental Health

Mental health is such a trendy topic at the moment, which is good because more and more people can finally open up about their mental health issues. It is so easy to find yourself struggling with your wellbeing these days. Most of us have bad days here and there, but sometimes those bad days could go into weeks/months. That is when it becomes a major issue. There are simple ways you could ensure you stay on top of your bad days, so it does not lead to depression or other mental health problems.

 

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Here are some simple tips for staying well and on top of your mental health –

 

Sound Sleep

A good night sleep can solve many issues. I always ensure I get at least 7 hours worth of sleep everyday. Anything less than that makes me grumpy the next day. Many people underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep and some other also struggle to fall asleep for the recommended hours. If you struggle to sleep soundly, you can try having an electronic-free time an hour or two before bedtime. Try not to check your phones or tablets while in bed. A nice warm shower and a warm cup of milk  just before bedtime also helps you fall asleep quicker.

 

Eat Well

Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated is great for your mental and physical health. Junk foods isn’t great for your overall health, so keep them to the minimum. Skipping meals may also make you grumpy, which will have an effect on your state of mind, so avoid doing so.

 

Get Moving

Siting is the new smoking, have you heard? Being active is one good way of staying on top of your health. Going for walks are great for your wellbeing. You could also hit the gym or exercise from the comfort of your home. There are so many ways to get moving and stay fit, so this tip should be very easy to smash.

 

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Talk to Someone

If you are struggling with your mental health, speaking to someone you trust can be your first step. You could also speak with your doctor first to get medical advise. Talking does help. You don’t have to keep it all inside.

 

Unwind

It is so easy to get busy caring for everyone and everything, while neglecting yourself in the process. Taking time out to relax and unwind is important for the wellbeing. You relax with a book, go for a massage/swim, book a spa day and just spoil yourself or relax watching your favourite tv show.

 

Taking care of your mental health is very important. It should be everyone’s top priority.

 

Charity of the month – Mind for better mental health

Mental health is something I am very passionate about, which is one of the reasons why I decided to go back to university to study Psychology. The goal is to serve as a Clinical Psychologist, and so far, I am loving the modules I am studying. I am 2 modules for my first year – Introduction to Psychology 1 and Child Psychology and Childhood Studies. Both modules have really changed my mindset and I am learning so much about psychology already. It is amazing how much I have learnt in the last 3 months. I am glad I finally took the bull by the horns and went with it.

If you have been a regular reader of Fashion and Style Police, the charity of the month this February should really come as no surprise.

 

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Charity of the month – Mind

The charity I am supporting this month is Mind. Mind is a charity focused on mental health. The charity provides adequate advice and support to help those  experiencing mental health issues. Mind campaigns help improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health in general. Thanks to this amazing charity, millions of people in England and Wales have access to the much needed advice and support.

Mind relies on donations and every little helps. For every £1 donated, 72p is spent on charitable work. The charity handled 76,323 queries in 2016/2017, 10.8 million accessed their information, and more of these happen year after year. Supporting a charity like Mind means you are helping those who suffer from mental health problems. It means you are saving a life by helping to provide the resources they need to thrive.

If you are like me and passionate about mental health and want to support Mind, you can donate here. Your donation could be a lifesaver for someone else.

Thanks for reading and donating. Have a fabulous week ahead.

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