It’s that time of the year again, when we’re all supposed to be full of good cheer and unlimited joy.
I get it, I really do. And, with everything we’ve gone through this past year, we can certainly use a time to set aside differences and celebrate what we have in common and the values we hold dear.
For many of us, however, the holiday season is tough. There are pressures to overspend on gifts that may or may not bring momentary joy. We are expected to get together with family and others whom we rarely see at any other time of the year. And the days are getting shorter and the nights darker.
All of us have mental health. Mental health, like physical health, exists on a spectrum, from healthy to stressed to struggling to a full-on crisis. If you can intervene when we notice the early signs of stress or struggle, you can literally save your loved one’s life.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, we need to begin shifting our narrative and stop dehumanizing our friends and neighbors who struggle with their mental health.
Last month, I wrote about the power of noticing. Letting someone know that you
have noticed changes in their mood or behavior can be a lifesaving act.
Did you know that one of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to
notice them?