May is Mental Health Awareness Month

            The month of May can come with a lot of pressure for students, such as finals or graduating high school/college. Knowing this, it’s important to be reminded of how you can take care of your mental health. The month of May was chosen as the Mental Health Month in order to raise awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of all individuals. It was established in 1949 as a way to increase the awareness and importance of mental health in the lives of Americans  and celebrate recovery from mental illness. We are so used to taking care of our physical bodies, so why not do the same for our mental health?

            Taking care of your mental health can look different for everyone, but the most important thing to consider is making time for whatever activity may be healthy and enjoyable for you. For one person that may be going to the gym at a certain time every day/week, while for another it can look like carving out time every day to cook a meal. I know for me, it’s as simple as journaling at the end of every day. According to mentalhealth.org.uk, ways you can improve your mental health include talking about your feelings to someone you trust, staying active, eating well, drinking sensibly, staying in contact with loved ones, asking for help, taking a break, doing something you’re good at, accepting who you are, and lastly caring for others.

            Prevention is a key component of health care, both physical and mental. This month of May, make sure to remember that your mental health matters! Find ways to support the movement of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by checking out California’s ongoing Mental Health movement “Take Action For Mental Health” , formerly known as “Each Mind Matters”, and programs offered through OC Health Care Agency , and Stigma Free OC. Other ways you can stay connected with Connect-OC is by signing up for our newsletter, joining our monthly coalition meetings, or following our Instagram (@connect_oc) for more ways to stay grounded within yourself and connected with others! Also, if you are interested in mental health resources available to the K-12 population, feel free to check out the Student Mental Health Resource Directory.