'MENTAL HEALTH IS A UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHT' WMHD 2023 Official Theme, October 10, 2023.
World Mental Health Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about mental health and promote mental well-being at the individual, societal, and global levels.
The theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, as chosen by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is "Mental health is a universal human right".
Here are some ideas for celebrating World Mental Health Day:
Focus on employee mental health: World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity for workplace leaders to raise awareness and promote mental well-being within their companies and organizations. Leaders can share their own mental health journeys, fostering empathy and understanding, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.
Advocate for mental health awareness: Take this opportunity to advocate for support, awareness, and open discussions within your workplace through educational videos, social media Stories, and meeting backgrounds. Share a positive and supportive message to your employees and customers this World Mental Health Day.
Host mindfulness and meditation events: Create videos and host events within your workplace that promote mindfulness and meditation. These activities can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote mental well-being.
Share mental health resources: Share mental health resources with your employees and customers. There are many resources available online that can help individuals learn more about mental health and find support.
Encourage self-care: Encourage your employees to take care of themselves by taking breaks, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that promote mental well-being.
Remember, while it's important to focus on mental health throughout the year, World Mental Health Day presents a unique opportunity to heighten awareness and underscore the significance of mental health within a company or organization.
Mental health issues and illnesses can impact a person's thoughts, perceptions, feelings, and behaviours, making it difficult for them to cope with work, relationships, and other demands.
Here are some common mental health issues and how they can be addressed:
Anxiety disorders: Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health disorders that include general anxiety disorders, social phobias, specific phobias, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Untreated anxiety disorders can lead to significant impairment in people's daily lives. Treatment options include medication, counselling, or both.
Depression: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, and symptoms vary from person to person but may include sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, pessimism, irritability, worthlessness, and fatigue. These symptoms interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy their life. Effective treatments for depression include medication, counselling, or both.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Treatment options include medication, counselling, or both.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Treatment options include medication, counselling, or both.
Eating disorders: Eating disorders are a group of mental health disorders that include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. These disorders can cause significant physical and emotional problems and can be life-threatening. Treatment options include medication, counselling, or both.
Substance abuse disorders: Substance abuse disorders are mental health disorders that involve the misuse of drugs or alcohol. Treatment options include medication, counselling, or both.
It's important to note that the relationship between stress and mental illness is complex, but it is known that stress can worsen an episode of mental illness.
Most people can manage their mental illness with medication, counselling, or both. People with mental disorders also require social support, including support in developing and maintaining personal, family, and social relationships. They may also need support for educational programs, employment, housing, and participation in other meaningful activities.
How De-Stress Massage can help your Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Massage therapy has been found to have several benefits for mental health, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression at De-Stress Massage we are here to support our clients mental health and well-being.
Here are some ways that massage can help with mental health:
Reducing stress: Massage therapy has been shown to significantly reduce stress on both physical and psychological levels. It can help lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone produced when the body is stressed.
Decreasing anxiety: Massage therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety by elevating neurotransmitters associated with lowering anxiety and decreasing hormones associated with increasing anxiety.
Improving mood: Massage therapy can increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters associated with happiness and well-being. This can lead to a happier individual and have a positive impact on their personal life and the lives of those around them.
Boosting energy levels: Research shows that massage can help people coping with seasonal affective disorder by improving mood and boosting energy levels.
Supporting psychotherapy: Massage therapy can serve as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Integrating massage sessions into a therapeutic plan can support individuals in releasing emotional tension, deepening self-awareness, and fostering a sense of relaxation and trust.
It's important to note that massage therapy should not replace conventional medical care, and people should tell their doctor they’re trying massage and continue their standard treatment plans.