Jodie Vanderslot | Health Editor
Featured image: We keep talking about mental health because it’s something that needs to be talked about. | Courtesy of Pexels
Here is a reminder that we all have mental health.
Here is a reminder that it’s okay to not be okay.
Here is a reminder that it is World Mental Health Day.
We need to change the way in which we think and talk about mental health. We’ve made mental illness into a buzzword that, even when people want to speak out, they feel as though their stories won’t be taken to heart. Everyone has mental health—sometimes, it runs smoothly, and other times, it’s chaotic and messy. Our experiences and feelings are our own, and they are completely valid.
World Mental Health Day occurs annually on October 10, with this year marking its 25th anniversary. This year, the focus was primarily on mental health in the workplace. It is a day to recognize the importance of maintaining good mental health and sharing our stories, as well as strategies and empathies with one another. The green ribbon is worn in support of mental health awareness, and the struggles individuals have faced, are facing, or will face in the future.
According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 40 per cent of participants expressed that they have experienced feelings of anxiety or depression, but never sought out medical help for it.
One in five Canadians experience mental health or addiction problem.
Our schedules will tell us where we’re supposed to be and when—but our bodies talk to us, and our minds will go wherever they will. We need to slow down, take a break, and listen. To-do lists will overflow and stress is inevitable—but a bad day is your mind telling you to breathe, release, and take a break.
By the time Canadians reach the age of 40, one in two have or have had a mental illness.
Our mental health is at the core of our being. We need to work on improving our mental health and our strategies for self care. Whatever your outlet, make sure it’s a positive one that will work towards your physical and mental health. It’s okay to feel like you need a day to yourself. Take a mental health day—it’s necessary. Take time to heal and decompress, in whatever form you need.
“Team Unbreakable is a recreational run group for the students & staff of York. Our main focus is using physical exercise—specifically running—as a way to maintain good mental health. It’s an active initiative, which generally I think that we [as a society] need more of,” says Lindsay Keenan, head coordinator of Team Unbreakable at York
“There are all sorts of mental health awareness groups out there educating people, which is great—it’s important that every person understands that we each deal with our own mental health, but we’re usually left on our own to try and figure out how to do exactly that.
“Run group gives people the opportunity to take care of themselves in the company of others, in a positive environment. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and actively set aside the time for self-care, especially as university students. We’re all so busy and under a lot of stress, so it’s vital that we take the time to do the things we enjoy in order to maintain our sanity. World Mental Day is the perfect starting point—we often get caught telling ourselves ‘I’ll start tomorrow’ and procrastinating, but Mental Health Day is the perfect reason to start NOW.”
Mental health is not just a fashion word—it’s a progress, and for some, it’s a constant struggle. In keeping the conversation about mental health open, we will be able to build greater awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a more supportive and inclusive culture.
Remember, always be kind—everyone is going through their own battles.
