World Mental Health Day
Here at the Reclaimed, I am constantly advocating for self-care, check-ins, and self-awareness, especially given the current climate.Today is World Mental Health Day. Why do we need a World Health Day? Well, according to the World Health Organization:
"Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental disorders or problems. About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Similar types of disorders are being reported across cultures."
"Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. About 23% of all years lost because of disability is caused by mental and substance use disorders."
"About 800 000 people commit suicide every year. Over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year and suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds."
DoSomething.org reports;
"49.5% of youth (ages 13-18) live with a mental health condition."
"More than 2/3 of Americans who have a mental illness live in the community and lead productive lives."
"Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide."
With all of these facts and the new ones that emerge daily, what is all of the stigma surrounding mental wellness? Well let's be real, there is a ton of discrimination and misinformation surrounding Mental Wellness. You know someone right now who is in need of a diagnosis but adamantly refuses to go to any mental health professionals for the sake of looking crazy. Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding wellness are incredibly widespread.
When it comes down to it, we need to take our mental health seriously, as we would our physical health. As we do, we give room for others to do the same. No one expects you to run on a broken leg or even a sprained ankle, why would we expect others or ourselves to function in depression or not be overwhelmed by overwhelming anxiety? Today is a day we get free of the stigmas and launch out towards healing.
Here are a few pieces I wrote on taking care of yourself:
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