October 6, 2020

BrightStar Care of Conejo Valley Supports World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2020


WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY - October 10, 2020 | National Today. https://nationaltoday.com/world-mental-health-day/

World Mental Health Day is on October 10, and as our understanding of mental health grows, we grow along with it.

Since the early nineties, mental health has come a long way when the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) officially established the day.  Our self-awareness and sensitivity towards it have changed things for the better. Our language surrounding mental health has improved as words like "crazy" and "lunatic" are used less flippantly. We have come to understand better that words can be unintentionally hurtful and stigmatizing. While we've learned a lot, we can still do so much more to evolve as a society.

+In 1992, the World Federation of Mental Health led by the deputy secretary-general at the time, Richard Hunter, created World Mental Health Day. They didn't have a precise objective other than to advocate for mental health as a whole. It was an uphill climb to change many harmful and dangerous habits that made a difficult situation worse.

The world had a host of mental health issues that weren't correctly being treated. There were struggles to gain public funding for treatment in France, inhumane treatment in New Zealand, and overall mental health ignorance. The WFMH knew that they needed to act on a global scale to solve a global crisis.

The first World Mental Health Day theme was "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World" in 1994. Twenty-seven countries sent feedback reports after the campaign, and there were national campaigns in Australia and England. Continuing this momentum, WFMH Board members across the globe arranged events according to the day, and its growing popularity among government departments, organizations, and civilians alike.

As the years passed, more countries got involved and consequently, so did civilians as the perception of mental health became more synonymous with human rights. 

The themes for World Mental Health Day expanded along with the times. Women, children, health, work, trauma, suicide, and so much more became a part of the conversation, and today, the average citizen is more knowledgeable in regards to mental health.

WE CAN OBSERVE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY BY ORGANISING A GROUP THERAPY IN THE WORKPLACE AND BY PRACTICING SELF-CARE.  

Register for a group therapy workshop at your place of work. We tend to hold onto the idea that pushing through and carrying on is the best way, but creating an opportunity for people to express themselves in a safe environment can be all that is needed to start the conversation of "R U OK"? Also, developing a regular sleep routine, adjusting your diet to healthier options, taking lunch breaks, and going on long walks are just a few ways to self-care. The point of self-care is to understand your specific needs. Please find time to ask yourself what you want and go for it.

Globally, one in four people will need mental health care in their lives, and more than 43 million Americans battle mental health. Depression among youth has risen from 5.9% to 8.2% since 2012.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY IS IMPORTANT as by Identifying the problem, and with the burden and fear removed from mental health issues, the battle becomes considerably easier. This day reminds you that whatever you're going through, you're not alone. Too often, we think that we're the only ones facing a hard time. It's uplifting to know that other people have gone through it and made it out the other end. It reminds you that you can overcome your pain.

BrightStar Care of Conejo Valley - Thousand Oaks is a home health care agency providing 24/7 Hourly Private Duty RN Led Health Care and Medical Staffing Services.

Our Nurses offer support around the clock, providing a full continuum of medical and non-medical services and medical staffing. We proudly serve Los Angeles and Ventura County cities of Simi Valley, Moorpark, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, West Hills, Newbury Park, Calabasas, Agoura, Topanga, Malibu, and Hidden Hills areas.

For more information on how BrightStar Care supports Conejo Valley families and businesses and learn more about our local team of nurses, caregivers, and skilled healthcare professionals – please Click Here.