Though mental health is a topic to be recognized every day of the year, it has special attention brought to it on World Mental Health Day.
The national holiday on Oct. 10 is set aside to bring awareness to mental health. It has government officials, celebrities and organizations alike taking to social media to promote conversation on the subject.
In Massachusetts, Rep. Richard Neal posted this statement this morning:
“For far too long, Americans have shied away from conversations about #mentalhealth, contributing to the deeply held stigma around seeking care. While we’ve made great strides in recognizing the importance of caring for our mental health as a society it’s time for Congress to act.”
Neal’s call to action for Congress referred to the House Ways & Means Committee’s — which Neal is the chairman of — conversations from this past February, the first hearing the United States has had in over a decade on mental health. In the hearing, accredited witnesses testified on “America’s Mental Health Crisis” and offered courses of action to take in combat.
Neal stated in a follow-up tweet that during the hearing, “We spoke about the need to take action as soon as possible and begin changing the way we deliver and access mental health services in this country.”
Some of the proposed options included bringing social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum into education and community-based settings, federal investments for ensuring the mental health of human services workers and improving Medicare’s coverage on substance use disorder and mental health services.
The Framingham Fire Department also took the time to share some local resources and phone numbers to call on their Twitter Monday, telling all that those support systems are available beyond just today. This includes dialing 211 or the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.
And celebrities joined in on bringing awareness across social media platforms.
Selena Gomez went to Twitter to talk about mental health by releasing the trailer for her upcoming documentary, “My Mind & Me” to be released on Nov. 4 on Apple TV+. The trailer gives some detail on Gomez’s struggle with stardom from an early age and the diagnoses she has received — depression, anxiety and a mental breakdown, to name a few.
The Imagine Dragons dropped their new music video on Facebook for their song ‘I Don’t Like Myself’ in honor of today, which puts the feelings of depression and anxiety into words.
Adding to the slew of celebrities joining in on the conversation were Michael Phelps, Jessica Alba and Barry Manilow.
Phelps stated, “Taking the step to seek help and open up about my thoughts and feelings with a therapist allowed me to understand my mental health more clearly.
“It also helped me to be a better father, husband, son, friend, and ultimately a better version of myself. Today, for #WorldMentalHealthDay, I encourage all to educate themselves on anxiety and depression and learn how to recognize each so we can support ourselves and others in our lives.”
Phelps also shared a link to an article from Talkspace, an online and mobile therapy company, on anxiety and depression.
Alba wrote a long message on her Facebook page detailing her personal history and relationship with mental health, and shared some of her favorite resources on how to help yourself.
“Ultimately, treat yourself as you would the most precious love of your life- there is only one you in this world and you deserves all the tender love and care!” Alba wrote.
Manilow shared this simple statement: “It’s World Mental Health Day today! So take some time to relax and listen to some beautiful music #worldmentalhealthday #manilow.”
Nationally speaking, the World Health Organization was one of many giving tips and resources. It wrote that “close to 1 billion people have a mental health disorder” and how mental health should be a global priority.
United Nations promoted WHO’s themed campaign on making mental health a global priority with a link to WHO’s page on Twitter along with a graphic showing how community mental health services can be made stronger by coordination, treatment, overnight care, social inclusion, community outreach and support groups.
Finally, the American Foundation for Suicide prevention posted this statement to their Twitter:
“Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay! We’re here to remind you that mental health IS physical health. By taking care of your mind, you’re taking care of you body, and vice versa. Retweet to let others know!”
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you are not alone.
- Samaritans Statewide Hotline
- Call or Text: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Press # 1 if you are a Veteran
- The Trevor Helpline
- 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386) Support designed for for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth and young adults
