Last Thursday was the day the World Health Organisation had set aside for World Mental Health Day. I’ve written often about the subject of mental health as I believe we need both mind and body to be healthy for ageing well and living well. Mental health is also any area that still carries stigma and we need to change that. Many of us at one time or another have experienced mental health issues, whether we like to admit it or not.
WHO – World Mental Health Day
Quoting from WHO’s website:
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
Both Mike and I have experienced different forms of mental health issues over the years. Sometimes coping well, other times not so well.
If you read my last post How a compliment, a glacier and coming home gave me perspective, you may have picked up on the fact that I have been struggling lately. Self-imposed pressures placed on myself has resulted in me feeling burned out and feeling overwhelmed. It might seem like first world problems to some, but the way we feel and cope with issues in our life can be a very real problem.
In the past, we were told to have a ‘stiff upper lip’ and it certainly would have been frowned upon to show any form of mental ‘weakness’.
Well thank goodness times are changing albeit not as fast as we would like! I received so many positive comments from readers and other bloggers who supported me and also shared their experiences with me.
By talking, not ignoring, we can begin to encourage others to share their feelings rather than keeping them hidden and suffering quietly.
Mental Health Australia’s theme for the Mental Health Day this year was:
Make a Promise
We were asked to ‘See beyond the stigma and make mental health more visible by making a #MentalHealthPromise’.
The idea is to help reduce the stigma around mental illness and make way for more people to seek help and support.
Make a #MentalHealthPromise is about selecting a promise or several if you wish, or write your own promise and post to the Promise Wall on their website. The site also have a range of images for you to choose from if you prefer.
My promise is to promote Mental Health Awareness with my family, friends and through social media to remove the stigma.
To date, there have been 26,528 promises posted to the wall.
Self-care is such an important part of maintaining our mental health. While I am finding my direction with the blog, stepping back a little and perhaps not blogging as often, I have decided to incorporate ‘Self Care Sunday with Sue’.
Each week I will be sharing a Self Care Sunday with Sue tip on my social media. A short and sweet video with a weekly tip on ways you can incorporate Self Care into daily life – because you are worth it.
Some tips you will already know, but it never hurts to be reminded. I would also love you to share with me your Self Care tips and thoughts.
I hope you will join me on my Facebook Page or my Facebook Group or Instagram.
Will you make a #MentalHealthPromise to make mental health more visible and remove the stigma?
If you or your family member are struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for help and support.
32 Comments
Thank you for posting this reminder, and for taking and encouraging action. Though I’ve often strayed from it in my posts, the reason I began my blog was to encourage a wider understanding of, and support for, people who are suffering mental health problems. The message you are sharing needs to be front of mind for everyone!
Hello Clive and thanks for visiting! My husband has PTSD and we have both at times had our low points as well as many high points in life. I do think that it is so important to share our feelings and not feel embarrassed. Have a beautiful week and once again thanks for your comment. x
I saw your Sunday self care health tip today on Instagram Sue. You’re right, it’s so important to look after ourselves, both physically and mentally. There’s already enough pressures in life without putting more on ourselves. Good on you. Mental health should absolutely be a priority. Take care and I hope you’re starting to feel better. Big hugs from me xx
I’m so good at advising others to do this Miriam but don’t always follow my own advice. The holiday has certainly made me realise my priorities and that life doesn’t end if a blog post doesn’t get published. Sending hugs to you and thank you for taking the time to send me your comment. xx
Sending hugs to you Sue and hoping you are feeling better. This is such an important topic and I can relate to all you say. Self imposed pressure is hard to fight but by being open and honest with ourselves and others is a great place to start. Having just returned from a great holiday it’s also hard to find your rhythm again and I can definitely relate as I had a bit of a meltdown after my trip and am coming good now. Take it easy and I applaud you on your self care Sunday initiative. xx
Thanks Deb, I’m on the mend although fighting the pressure I’m feeling to respond to the many comments from my previous post. Being ill has put me out of action for a few days and I didn’t realise I had so many comments which was lovely. I’m so pleased to hear you are coming good as I know at the moment you are juggling many emotional balls. Sending hugs to you and have a beautiful day, my friend. xx
Hope you’re on the mend now Sue! Sharing for #mlstl
thanks for sharing, Deb xx
Hi, Sue – Thank you for posting on this essential topic. This is a very important promise for each of us to make.
I look forward to following Selfcare Sunday.
Sending warm hugs to you and Mike.
Thanks Donna it is such an important topic and one that we either ignore or have become complacent about. Selfcare Sunday won’t be full on as the aim is for self care but I like the idea so I’m going with it. Sending love and hugs to you and Richard. xx
Hi BBB – mental health is such a huge area of concern isn’t it? Ross and I have both had experiences with it too – and it almost killed our marriage a couple of times. I find it so hard to understand why we’re quite happy to talk for hours about our physical ailments, but we are so reluctant to discuss our mental or emotional issues. I really hope that things continue to change and that the conversation becomes easier and more honest as people feel less judgement and more support from the community around them.
Great that you’re looking after yourself – it’s so important to catch the downward spiral before it overwhelms us xxxx
Thanks BBB I know others struggle far more than I do but you are right we are happy to talk about our health issues, weight and other ailments but refuse to accept that mental health is part of our health program as well. xx
Hi Sue – back for another #MLSTL party and we’re off to a great start! Shared your post on my social media and have a great day xxx
Sue, I understand personal pressure… I’ve often been told I am too hard on myself. And significant mental health challenges run in my husbands family, so I am very much on the alert for any signs with my husband. He is on the Autism Spectrum, so has a hard time expressing emotion. (I wrote a blog early on about Living with Asperger’s in Retirement). And he has siblings with bipolar, addictions, significant depression, & suicidal tendencies.
I’m learning these days to release self-imposed pressure. I’m not blog posting this week because of other things happening (yes, exciting news and hope to post about it soon) … and am only giving myself 2 hours today to do blog catch up & comment only on a few. The world will continue to spin!
Mental health – My family are affected by this, actually I think everyones family is just some are willing to talk about it. I have anxiety and PTSD. My eldest has depression – I can’t remember the actual name. Unfortunately we don’t talk anymore. She has wiped me out of her life for now. I have hope that we can overcome this. My youngest is intellectually disabled. My two sisters have daughters – all first born along with mine with different forms of mental health problems. We all have times when our first borns don’t want to have anything to do with us. #MLSTL
Good post. I think we need to usualise the issue, and work on daily mental fitness, like we do going to the gym. #MLSTL (music and dance are a big part of my mood management)
Our family has struggled with mental health issues and going through those tough times can be so confusing. I am very involved in my community and agree wholeheartedly that the stigma must be removed from mental health issues. Thanks for sharing this post.
What an important post and commend you on speaking out about yourself. I will re-share an pin. Keep up the good work and know we care about you.
Here is the US I saw a lot of posts and TV news discussions of Mental Health Day. It really does seem like there is a growing awareness of mental health. It is especially visible here in the US because of all of the shootings in schools and other public places. People are starting to recognize the negative effects of lack of mental health. Schools here are adopting yoga and other mindfulness activities for students, many of whom live in very stressful situations and are traumatized. I hope that the interest maintains and more is done to promote mental health. I hope you are doing well. .
I generally make a promise for world mental health day every year, but haven’t got around to it this year (sidetracked by being sick) so thanks for the reminder Sue! I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve had my own issues around mental health over the years. I try and be open about it without going on too much but I do agree that talking about it is the best way to remove the stigma which is essential in order that more people seek help and don’t suffer alone in silence. Have a great week Sue. xo
Thanks for the reminder Sue. Talking not ignoring is a good mantra. We’re usually great at talking the talk, but not always so good when it comes to our own health. x
Hi Sue – Thanks for writing about this important topic. I’m glad you’re on the mend. Coming home from a long flight with the seasonal changes can be tough on our body. I look forward to your new Self Care Sunday tips. #MLSTL
Hi Sue, thanks for your openness and the reminder. I think we are only just beginning to understand the full range of mental health issues in society, and it’s a lucky person indeed who gets off scott free, so to speak. I think there should be many more tools and strategies and helplines available, and that we should be able to nip things in the bud with self care and professional help before things spiral in a dreadful downward motion. I hope you are feeling less overwhelmed and more inspired today x #MLSTL
Hugs from the other side of the world. Mental health is so important. We should all be getting yearly mental health check-ups the same way that we get yearly physicals. We should not see it as something that we should be “proud” not to have ever gone to a psychologist. We should be proud that we are checking in with a psychologist, even if it’s only once a year.
Thank you for your hug Jennifer and I hadn’t thought about a yearly mental health check-up but what a great idea. I agree with you re being ‘proud’ it can be a bit like wearing the ‘badge of busyness’ with honour. Have a lovely week. xx
Hi Sue, our mental health is an integral part of who we are as humans, yet we tend to hide our struggles with it. Thanks for sharing and bringing focus to something that we all deal with at times, every one of us. Sharing on SM. xo
Hi Candi I agree with your last few words, ‘Every one of us’ – I suppose until we can accept this fact, that everyone suffers some form of mental health issues the stigma will remain. The more we talk about it the easier it becomes and mental health will then be regarded as just another health issue we need to address. Thanks for sharing. xx
Hi Sue,
We all struggle at times…and shouldn’t be ashamed. I have anxiety issues, as does my son. My daughter is a recovering heroin addict and will be all her life.
These are real issues, just as real as medical ones. We need to be kinder to others and ourselves around these struggles.
#MLSTL shared to SM
Hi Nancy, yes life can be such a struggle for all of us at different times and we need to be able to ask for help or support without fear of rejection. I’m sorry to hear about your daughter but you are right we need to be kinder to others and ourselves. xx
Promise made. Will share on my blog. Thank you, Sue, for championing mental and physical health! I appreciate your hard work.
Thank you my friend. xx
I can’t even forget that date as one of my grandchildren was born then. I always keep an eye on my own mental health and have done a lot of work on myself to ensure wellness is mostly the end result. We all need to care for everyone and ensure no-one is ignored or left alone.
Thank you for a very important message.
Denyse #mlstl