Pooja Srinivasa Raja’s Post

Encouraging open conversations on mental health requires creating safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment. If we notice someone feeling down or anxious, we can take the initiative to offer support by simply checking in and listening without judgment. Small gestures, like asking how they’re doing or offering a space for them to talk, can make a significant difference. Encouraging vulnerability and letting people know it’s okay to not be okay fosters an environment where seeking help feels natural. By showing empathy and staying present for others, we help break the silence around mental health.

A key component of Suicide Awareness Month is challenging the stigma and misconceptions around mental health and suicide. One of the issues the MHCC has highlighted for many years is the harmful impact of such stigma on individuals struggling with their mental health. Stigma can be a significant deterrent to individuals seeking help. It can also exacerbate their struggles and potentially lead to tragic outcomes. By instead promoting understanding and empathy, we can create an environment where people feel safe and comfortable discussing their mental health challenges. This includes recognizing that seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness — and that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Creating a mental check-in can be an invaluable way of understanding where our mental health is currently at. When our mental health is good, we can tend to glide through life without noticing, and it is only when it starts to decline that we notice it, but we can be guilty of trying to ignore or disregard it. It's important to create regular check-ins with ourselves to ensure that we are grateful for when we are doing well and remind ourselves that when it isn't going so well that we feel that and can implement ways of improving it. A good start is trying the mindful techniques suggested by each of our Guests!

Picture a society where seeking therapy or counseling is viewed with the same acceptance as visiting a doctor for a check-up. This is the world we should strive to create—one where mental health is not stigmatized but instead embraced with empathy and understanding. Breaking the taboo around mental health starts with education and awareness. It's about challenging outdated beliefs and fostering a culture of acceptance and support. When we openly discuss mental health, we let others know that it's okay not to be okay and that help is available. It's also about creating safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment.

#Worldmentalhealthday2024. Mental health is so important because it can affect so many aspects of our lives - it can determine how we cope with stresses and losses, making and keeping friends and jobs, relationships with family and also our physical health. With it affecting so much of our day to day life its easy to see why its important to take care of our mental health. At Families in Trauma and Recovery we believe in a strengths based approach to mental health. This means that instead of focussing on what a person may not be able to cope with, we find the things they can do, the things they love to do and help build a strong foundation for their mental health based on the strengths they already have at their disposal.

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that mental health is essential to our overall well-being, yet often overlooked or stigmatized. Globally, millions of people face mental health challenges, ranging from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions, all of which deserve attention, care, and understanding. It's crucial to recognize that mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness but a part of being human. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or lost, know that you're not alone. There are many resources and communities available to offer help and support. Reaching out for assistance is a sign of strength and self-awareness. Whether through friends, family, professionals, or support groups, help is available. We’re here to support you through the highs and lows—because mental health is a journey, not a destination. Take that first step today; we are here to help.

In lieu of May being mental health awareness month. I want to spotlight the growing need for mental health awareness and care for adult and senior populations. Many factors lead to this crisis. But education and awareness can be the key to finding help and resource’s. Many times identifying signs and behaviors and seeking resources, starts with loved ones and caretakers in the community! Be the link to receiving that care. https://lnkd.in/gn3KQwi9

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are often addressed as separate issues, but the reality is, they tend to occur simultaneously. This Mental Health Month, knowledge is power. You can directly make a difference by increasing awareness in yourself and others in order to reduce stigma. Help support our efforts to reduce mental health stigma here: https://lnkd.in/gG3FdJVp

🌍💚 On World Mental Health Day, let's take a moment to remind ourselves that we are never alone in our struggles. Positive affirmations can be powerful tools in nurturing our mental well-being. Remember: you are strong, you are valued, and you matter. In the U.S., more than one in five adults live with a mental illness—so if you're facing challenges, know that you're not alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. We're here to help. 💬 Reach out to Northwest Behavioral Health at 800-537-2585 or 806-354-1810 if you need someone to talk to.