Happy World Mental Health Day!
Launched in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, this annual day of awareness serves as an international reminder that, in the words of former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, there is no health without mental health.
Along with offering a boost to programs, services, and advocacy groups around the world who provide year-round support to individuals and communities, Mental Health Day is an occasion for mental health professionals and care givers to rally together, discuss the advances and needs in their field, and learn how they can collaborate to improve mental health outcomes.
So what can you do to celebrate World Mental Health Day and feel better immediately? Here are just a few ideas, field-tested by our community of clinicians and support staff at PESI:
Go for a walk. It’s no coincidence that World Mental Health Day is scheduled at the turn of the seasons--the northern hemisphere is shifting from the heat of late summer to the crisp clarity of autumn, while in the southern hemisphere, the chill of winter has finally given way to sunny spring. No matter where you live, getting outside and moving your body is a proven method for alleviating stress, anxiety, and everyday brain fog.
Talk shop with a colleague. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “Lived experiences heard: Real Voices, Real change.” The relief our clients feel from being heard and seen is just as powerful for us as clinicians. Reach out to a respected peer in your field—a coworker in your practice, a contact from your grad school or training program, a professor or former boss who made a positive impact in your life—and schedule a sit-down to ask each other, “How are you doing?” If there’s one thing our profession has taught us, it’s that an authentic conversation with somebody who “gets it” is a powerful benefit for both the mind and the emotions.
Learn something new. At some point along the way, the uphill battle to establish our practice evens out into a predictable routine, which is great until it becomes…well, too routine. Stimulating your brain with fresh stories, scientific advances, and novel approaches to treatment—whether it be in your area of specialty or in another area altogether—can spark new channels of thought, not to mention revitalize your clinical presence. It also brings back the joy and intrigue that drew you to the field in the first place.
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