August means different things to different people. For some, it’s the start of a new school year. For others, it might bring the busyness of birthdays, anniversaries or other big events. Nationally, August is dedicated to wellness. It’s a good time to check in on your own and others’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
With August being National Wellness Month, it’s important to slow down and take a wellness inventory. Notice which emotions you feel most often, and if they’re negatively affecting you, figure out the cause so that you can adjust accordingly. Take care of your physical health, too. If you haven’t scheduled a check-up in a while, make time to do so. Adopting healthier habits will help as well.
Mental wellness is important to take care of. If you’ve been stressed or feeling burnt out lately, now is as good a time as any to address whatever is causing it. Do something to help alleviate that stress. It doesn’t have to be something big like taking a trip, there’s lots of smaller, and easier things to do that can make an impact. Put your phone on do not disturb for a set amount of time, take social media breaks, go for a walk outside while the weather is nice or meet up with a friend. All of these are manageable things to do that can combat stress.
While taking care of mental health and wellness has been widely encouraged more often recently, it’s important to keep highlighting it. There’s still a stigma around aspects of mental health. That’s why it’s necessary to talk about it so that people are reminded to take care of their mental wellness and then seek help if they feel like they can’t handle it alone.
One aspect of mental health that still carries a significant stigma and doesn’t get talked about enough is youth suicide. Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death in ages 10-24. It is preventable. Some studies have shown that almost 80% of those with suicidal thoughts show warning signs. Knowing and recognizing these warning signs can help save someone’s life. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. For more information on warning signs and risk factors, visit their website at www.jasonfoundation.com. There you can also access free prevention training modules, order free materials, and locate the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office to you.
Be intentional this National Wellness Month. Check in on yourself and others. Make sure to offer help when someone may need it. Learn about the warning signs for suicide so that you recognize a need for help. Everyone is capable of preventing youth suicide.
