World Mental Health Day: Practical tips for nurturing your mental health and supporting others
By Will Crawford, founder and director of quietnote
If you or someone you know is seriously struggling with mental health, you can contact the NHS on 111, or in an emergency, always call 999.
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2023 is here—a compelling reason to prioritize your mental health. It's a day to pause, reflect, and take meaningful actions to support mental wellbeing, both for ourselves and those around us.
This year's theme, "Mental health is a universal human right," highlights the importance of mental wellbeing for everyone, including ourselves. I personally feel that it’s a slightly sad theme, the purpose of a themed day is to raise awareness of an issue that doesn’t get the important recognition it deserves. Mental health being a universal human right I’m sure to most feels like a no brainer – but the fact that we’ve got to plug it, obviously means we’ve still got some work to do…
Last year, the WHO announced that nearly 1 billion people are suffering from a mental condition, that’s roughly 1 in 8 of us. So, let’s make sure we’re equipped to know what we can do to be part of the solution.
I've always believed in taking action alongside discussions. So, here are some practical tips:
Start some conversations.
Get together with a group of mates or your family and ask some simple questions like, “how are you doing?” or “how’ve you been feeling recently?” But here's the key: really listen to them and show genuine interest in their responses. When people know you're properly listening, they're more likely to open up and be honest in their response. After all, we’re all guilty of saying ‘yeah all good thanks!’ when in reality, we’re having a bit of a rubbish time…
Do something for you.
Do something that you know is good for your mental health, that is also something you genuinely enjoy – yoga, mindfulness, meditation, reading, exercise, knitting, walking - or whatever works for you!
Connect with nature.
Nature has a remarkable impact on mental health. So, go spend time outdoors. Whether it's a walk in the park or a moment in your garden, nature has a lot of hidden benefits (In fact, I’m sat outside whilst writing this article!)
Educate yourself.
Learn about mental health conditions and the resources available to help. Understanding mental health better equips you to provide support when it's needed most. I have posted a few at the bottom of this article if you’re interested.
World Mental Health Day is here as an important reminder that mental health deserves our care and attention. It offers an opportunity for self-reflection, self-care, and extending support to others on their mental health journeys. By taking these simple yet impactful steps, we can collectively contribute to a world where mental wellbeing is cherished, promoted, and safeguarded for all.
Further resources:
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK