This month, the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being is turning a spotlight on our student’s’ ability to adopt healthy behaviors that promote and protect their mental health. October 2nd – October 8th, 2022, is ‘National Mental Illness Awareness Week’ in the U.S., and on Monday, October 10th, the World Health Organization’s global initiative ‘World Mental Health Day’ is observed. This global attention to mental health provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize efforts on campus in support of our students’ mental well-being.
One-in-five adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year. Mental health is an essential component to our overall well-being. When we feel mentally well, we can work productively, enjoy free time, and contribute actively to our communities. Fortunately, promoting and protecting our mental health is often even more simple than we realize.
Connect Well: Find your people
- Stay connected… schedule regular time with family and friends who help you to cope in positive ways
- Focus on developing quality relationships over quantity, invest in a few close friends with similar attitudes, interests and values
- Be friendly to strangers – small conversational moments (with a cashier or a neighbor) can often make a difference in building a sense of connection
Recharge Well: Make time to rest and reflect
- Practice gratitude… be specific -and write down!- the things you are grateful for each day
- Incorporate relaxation exercises -meditation or calming breaths- into your daily routines. Apps such as Calm, HeadSpace, or The Mindfulness App are a good place to start
- Schedule an activity during the day that brings you pleasure – listening to music, time with a good book, a walk with a friend, or watching a funny movie
Live Well: Learn and shape the life you want
- Learn to identify and challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts
- In moments of stress, try guided imagery, such as this guided visualization to calm your mind
- Keep a journal to track your thoughts and feelings
Play Well: Care for your physical self
- Stick to the basics
- Keep a morning and nighttime routine; try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night
- Drink water and eat well-balanced meals at regular intervals
- Move your body in ways that you like (walk, dance, yoga, or ski!) every day
- Avoid drinking excess caffeine
To elevate the commitment we have to mental health and to strengthen the tools and resources available to students, we are inviting you to connect, recharge, live, and play with us this month through various workshops and events happening all around campus.
Take a look at our calendar of events so that you can join us and begin learning how to take care of what matters most… you! Mental health matters – Make caring for your mind a priority.
Find out more about creating your own unique ‘Be Well’ plan to promote and protect your mental health and follow us on Instagram: @mtu_wellbeing Facebook: Michigan Tech WellBeing or Twitter: @mtu_wellbeing
#itsoktonotbeok #mentalhealthawarenessmonth