May is Mental Health Awareness Month

One of my hopes for this blog is that it will be one that people will want to come to and read about a variety of topics mostly light and not too serious. However, there will be times (like yesterday's post) in which I get a little "real" and show some vulnerability that let you know that like everyone, life isn't always perfect and that's okay.

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Mental health is a topic and something that I am passionate about because I have gone through some of my own mental health issues as well as helping others with their mental health. My undergraduate degree is in social work and for about two and a half years, I worked as a caseworker with clients who had mental illnesses. Currently, I also spend some time answering calls for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and try to be there for whoever is calling.

Since it is Mental Health Awareness month, Mental Health America, which is a national organization has a great site about actions you can take for yourself and to also raise awareness. Mental health is an issue more important than ever these days, and the government has even declared an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. that you can read about in this NPR article.

This is a good month to remind ourselsves that we need to regularly check-in with ourselves. It doesn't have to be once a day, but maybe at least once a week ask yourself:

How am I doing?

Am I feeling okay?

If not, why not? What are some things I can do to help me be okay if I'm not?

What are the the things that I do that help me feel okay?

Remember, you are not alone and there is always hope! But if you find that hard to believe, please reach out to someone like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988, a number to remember!

Feel free to leave a comment on some of the things you do for your mentalh health!