After a wildly successful Mental Health Action Day, we have gathered up all of the resources that we discussed with our partners and have them ready for you. It does not have to be Mental Health Action Day or Mental Health Awareness month to care about mental health, so we hope you take a step toward mental health and shift the culture of mental health from awareness to action whenever feels right to you.
This infographic was provided by full time psychologist and renowned side hustling do it yourselfer from Long Island, NY, Sam Raimondi, otherwise known on social media as the DIY Huntress.
Online resources
- Our friend Bryan (@dogwoodcustombuild), who is also active duty Navy, shared one resource in our Live chat this morning called Military OneSource. Military OneSource counselors are available for free, short-term, confidential non-medical counseling services for a wide range of issues from marital conflicts and stress management to coping with a loss and deployments. Sessions can take place in person, over the phone, or via secure video or online chat.
- MTV Entertainment Group, our partner in MHAD, shared The Safe Place, which is a mental health app that works to ensure minority groups have a safe place to seek mental health resources.
Highlights
Start Small: Many of us are aware that action is an essential part of maintaining mental health but we don’t know how or where to begin. And figuring out that first meaningful action can become the most difficult part of a mental health journey, as it is easy to become overwhelmed.
Drink a Glass of Water: Nearly 80 percent of Americans aren’t drinking enough water on a daily basis and believe it or not, that lack of hydration can have a massive impact on your mental health. Drinking water can improve your mood and emotions and a study even found that people who drink more water had a lower rate of anxiety and depression than people who drink less water.
Ask for Help: This one is simple. Sometimes, a person knows they need help but isn’t willing to admit it to themselves or anyone else. As a result, they endure their mental health conditions entirely on their own without taking any meaningful action towards improving their mental health on a daily basis.
Start a Meditation Practice: Research shows that meditating can have a profound effect on a person’s mental health. Through meditation, you can improve mindfulness and self-esteem, while reducing stress and anxiety. Meditation is a simple way to clear your mind and escape the nonstop distraction of your daily life. If you are interested in trying meditation and mindfulness exercises, use this one-month free promo code from Headspace to help you get started.
Journal: Writing things down can also serve as an effective form of meditation, as you examine your thoughts and create a space for reflection and mindfulness. Our friend Char (@woodenmaven) recommends writing down three things you're grateful for everyday.
Schedule Your First Yoga Class: Practicing yoga has proven to positively affect both your physical and mental health. In fact, studies have shown that yoga can help with stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There are several different styles of yoga, so you can find the class that best suits your needs. The best thing is, most yoga studios offer your first visit free to test them out, all you have to do is call or check their website.
Join a Peer Support Group: If you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, consider finding a peer support group. With regular meetings, these groups specifically rely on shared experiences, creating a natural sense of community that lends itself to open and empathetic communication.
Find a Therapist: Finding a therapist should be easy and encouraging. Mental Health Match is a free service that matches people to therapists and counselors who best meet their needs. Another option is the Anxiety & Depression Association of America’s Find-a-Therapist platform that allows you to search for therapists by location, treatment options, and disorders treated.
Freebies
- A build plan from Popular Woodworking Magazine and Woodsmith Magazine was provided during MHAD, so keep an eye out for another one next year!
- The Builder's Challenge is the largest woodworking competition on the web. They have nine FREE build plans from previous challenges that can be found here: https://www.builderschallenge.com/tbc
- Headspace is offering one-month (30 days) free, which will allow you to test out their services that can help you learn life-changing skills of meditation and mindfulness by delivering new meditations straight to your phone every day. To claim the free month, click here or use promo code MHAD2021 at checkout.
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