Mental Health Awareness Month

MindF**K. That was the original title for my memoir, the Lotus Tattoo.

For me, my mental health was impacted by abuse as a child. For most of my life I lived with the chaos in my head of negative self-talk, depression, fear, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, ocd, stress, and so much more. The shame of my past and the shame of my thoughts kept me from getting help. Ten years ago that changed for me.

Ten years ago I didn’t know anything about Mental Health Awareness Month. I never reached out to anyone for help. I spent years on my own journey, through ups and downs, trying to heal.

What I didn’t realize is that I didn’t have to do it alone. There are so many organizations out there to help us all through the difficult times.

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month

For all who care about mental wellness, this is the biggest month of the year. Observed in the United States since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has reached millions of people through media, bloggers, like myself, through websites like Everyday Being, mental health awareness events and health screenings. The prevailing mantra: Champion checkups from the neck up!

This year’s observance is even more critical because of the impacts of the coronavirus—so I’m sharing with you a full tool kit of resources we all can use from Mental Health America. You can find more information about everything from owning your feelings, to coping with loss, to eliminating toxic influences, to creating health routines. Blog about these topics, pass them along on your social networks, share with your children’s teachers and coaches. The kit includes handouts you can print and a wide range of colorful and compelling images and graphics to share on your social accounts. Visit here https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month for more information and to download the toolkit.

Why is it so important to bring awareness to mental health?

Because most of us suffer in silence, too ashamed to reach out for help.

Forget the stigma. There are so many people out there who can help you get past the hurt, the pains and the chaos.

Let’s bring awareness to mental health—not just this month—but always. We need to support one another through difficult times. We need to stop hiding from shame our depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, fear, anger and any other mental anguish that we harbor.

Mental illness—it never goes away. But you can heal. And you can recognize the signs when you are struggling.

Reach out - You are not alone.