Mental Health Awareness Month

Laughter, sunshine, crafts, movement, pets, friendship. These seemingly small things can take a big role in our health.

May is Mental Health Month and Mental Health America showcases that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and wellbeing as well as that mental illnesses are common and treatable. This year’s theme is #4Mind4Body, to raise awareness about the connection between physical and mental health and explore methods to improve our whole health such as humor, social connections, spirituality, exercise, and gratitude.

Locally, the Campaign to Change Direction, which includes individuals from La Crosse County and Extension – La Crosse County, promotes healthy habits of emotional wellbeing which all benefit our emotional, or mental, health:

Take Care of You
- Eat, sleep, and be active. These basic activities are critical to our mental health.
Check In
- If you are having a bad day, a down week, or are struggling, talk with someone you trust – your doctor, counselor, faith based leader, family, friends. It can be difficult to open up, especially when we are feeling down, and talking to someone we trust makes it easier.
Engage and connect
- Spend time with people we love. Healthy social connections are an integral part of our emotional wellbeing and greatly benefit our mental health.
Relax
- How we cope and live with stress contributes to our wellbeing. Relax in a manner that works for you: running, biking, baking, singing, meditating, knitting, coloring, etc.
Know the 5 Signs of Emotional suffering
- If you notice, in yourself or in others, a change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, a decline in personal care, and/or hopelessness, reach out. You, or that person you care about, may need a friendly ear or some assistance. If you do not know what to do when someone having a crisis, call Great Rivers 211 or La Crosse County Crisis at (608) 784-4357 for help. Call 911 in an emergency.