HOW ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF MENTALLY?

This was a question I recently posed to a dear friend who has been dealing with a lot of her emotions publicly. She had been getting sucked into fruitless debates online and expending energy trying to educate people who plan on remaining gleefully ignorant.

So, how do you protect yourself mentally? Especially as members of marginalised communities who are often tasked with the work of perpetually educating others?

If you’ve been following some of your favourite accounts and influencers on social media, you probably already know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). While MHAM is celebrated around the world today, it was initially established in 1949 in the US as a way to increase awareness of the importance of mental health wellness. Beyond awareness, it also celebrates recovery from mental illness.

For more than 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognised Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support - Source

So, going back to my initial question to my friend, this is one I also ask myself everyday. How am I honouring and ensuring my mental health today?

For me, it looks like starting my day with intention, removing myself from draining conversations online which never advance our collective education, taking adequate time off for rest and rejuvenation, burying myself in a good book, unfollowing/muting several social media accounts, and talking to my therapist every few weeks.

So, to kickstart your daily intentions and prevent mental exhaustion, our platform matches you to therapists and coaches who understand your culture, language and/or religion – for culturally competent care, so join our waitlist so we can connect you.

Remember, while May is our annual push to take care of ourselves mentally, it really should be our reminder to prioritise our mental wellbeing every single day.

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We want you to thrive - mentally, physically, and emotionally - so you can start living the life you truly deserve.