Did you know that May was Mental Health Awareness Month? During the past month, staff at Belmont Health & Wealth has been putting a focus on Mental Health initiatives, and sharing the things that work for them when it comes to keeping mentally healthy. After all, we do place a great deal of focus on “Balance Your Life”. Think that Mental Health isn’t a concern for you? Here are some fast facts provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association:
Who is affected?
- Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
- 20% of Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
- Mental illness affects people of all ages, educational and income levels, and cultures.
- Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
- About 1% of Canadians will experience bipolar disorder (or “manic depression”).
How common is it?
- Schizophrenia affects 1% of the Canadian population.
- Anxiety disorders affect 5% of the household population, causing mild to severe impairment.
- Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16% among 25-44 year olds.
- Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age.
- The mortality rate due to suicide among men is four times the rate among women.
Although many advances have been made, there still remains a great deal of stigma around Mental Health. Many organizations are actively working to break these down, like Bell Let’s Talk so people who are struggling aren’t embarrassed to come forward and ask for help. Below is the list that Belmont Staff put together for strategies for keeping mentally healthy:
- Talk to someone
- Take a walk
- Take some “me time”
- Have a good cry. Let it out. Pick up the pieces and carry on.
- How about a nice hour long massage!
- Read
- Listen to music
- Volunteer
- Keep a journal of things you are grateful for
- Spend time with friends
- Get enough sleep
- Eat fruit and vegetables not junk
- Exercise
- Avoid negative people in your life
- Think positive
- Drink water
- Do yoga
- Be nice to people and have patience for all
- Enjoy your work and co-workers
- Take your lunch break
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Be confident!
- Ask for help if you need it!
If you have tried any of the above and feel that you are still struggling, focus on the last point above: Ask for help if you need it. Below is a list of national organizations that are available to help, courtesy of CTV News. Don’t be afraid to reach out; there are many who will be reaching back to help! Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: 204 784 4073 Canadian Mental Health Association: 613 745 7750 Kids Help Phone: 1 800 668 6868 Anxiety Panic Support Mental Health Commission of Canada: 613 683 3755 The Mood Disorders Society of Canada: 519 824 5565 Collateral Damage: 807 768 5217 or toll free at 888 835 9041 The Jack Project: 647 378 6583 Your Life Counts: 289 820 5777 Your Life Counts Military Directorate
Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/mental-health-awareness-month/