Mental Health Week: Let's Get Real about How We're Really Feeling
Even before there was COVID-19, loneliness and social isolation were already of major concern in our society. Each year, 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness or mental health issues, but all Canadians have one specific mental health need in common - we all need social connection. Social isolation and loneliness are bad for everyone’s mental health.
Connecting with other people and our communities doesn’t just feel good. It’s good for our mental health.
Research shows that social connection and social support are factors that protect and promote good mental health. People with weak or few social connections are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, anti-social behaviour and suicidal behaviours. A 2017 Vancouver Foundation survey even found that nearly a third of people aged 18-24 in the bustling city said that they felt lonely.
2020 marks The Canadian Mental Health Association’s 69th annual Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week helps to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about mental health. It helps promote behaviours and attitudes that foster well-being, support good mental health and create a culture of understanding and acceptance. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week, May 4-10, 2020 is ‘social connection’ and its importance for mental health.
The campaign this year calls for us to #GetReal about how we really feel.
It’s common in Canada to say we’re fine, even when we don’t mean it.
It’s common in our society to ask people how they are. Unfortunately, it’s also common not to provide—or expect—a truthful answer.
Every time we just go through the motions, we miss a chance to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Feeling socially connected means you feel close and connected to others, and you don’t have to be in physical proximity to nurture a sense of closeness and connection.
Everyone needs emotional support at the best of times. As we face the COVID-19 global pandemic, we need each other now more than ever.
It’s time to #GetReal about how we feel and lean on each other for support.
This Mental Health Week, let’s say more than just “I’m fine.” Let’s have real conversations with our friends, neighbours and coworkers about how we’re all really doing. We’re in this together.
In these days of social distancing (more accurately called physical distancing), we are learning that we don’t have to be close to feel close. We are together, even when we're apart.
It is precisely the time, during and in recovery from the pandemic, to lean on each other. Even if we can’t be close physically with one another, we need to stay close emotionally.
Want to know more?
Visit www.mentalhealthweek.ca for more info about CMHA Mental Health Week.