"
There are people that want to reach out and talk about mental health — that's essential in moving
forward.
"
– Adam Levy
Credit: Nate Ryan
Mental wellbeing is for everyone
All of us experience various levels of mental wellbeing at different points in our life. Half of us
will personally
experience at least one mental health condition in our lifetime. And yet misconception and discrimination
still
exist, causing people to feel shame, suffer in silence and either not seek or be able to access
treatment.
The time is now to move forward and address mental health.
Call to Mind aims to inform and mobilize new conversations about mental health.
50%
of people experience a mental health
condition in adulthood
#calltomind
We're in this together
Though mental illness is a health condition much like any other, we often treat it as if it’s a choice.
This
common misconception creates barriers to care. It takes an average of 10 years—a full decade!—for a
person
experiencing a mental health condition to seek the care they need. From the things we all say
("You’re
crazy!" "Snap out of it"), to problematic portrayals in popular culture, to systemic
complacency,
we have a lot of work ahead to fix our misconceptions about mental health.
The holiday season can be a time to connect with loved ones and make new memories. This time of year can also strain fragile relationships, accentuate stresses we are already coping with or the traumas we have already survived. In a survey of people with diagnosed mental health conditions, more than 60% reported that the season makes their conditions "somewhat" to "a lot" worse. Try to take some of the pressure off and nurture yourself into the new year with some healthful tips to maintain or improve your mental wellness through the holidays.
Plan Your Self Care
Take time for yourself and plan your self care routine ahead of time.
If life slips sideways, connect with someone who can be there for you. If you are dealing with an emergency, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, here are some resources that can help you connect to people specific to your needs.
You can help us create new conversations about mental health. Join us at a live event, tell our
reporters what
you want to learn more about, or join the conversation using #calltomind.
Unhappy Holidays 2018
Thursday, December 20, 2018
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join Dissonance for their third annual Unhappy Holidays event, an alternative holiday gathering during “the most wonderful time of the year”. This no-alcohol, no-expectations, healthy environment event is free and open to the public. Dissonance will feature some of the most interesting entertainers sharing their stories, comedy and music for a low-key event where you can come as you are.
Call to Mind: Entrepreneurs Tackle Mental Health and
Wellbeing
Past event on October 9, 2018
This live discussion panel delves into the investments entrepreneurs have made in
mental health, the science behind their products, and the opportunities and barriers they face in
offering new solutions to the mental health market.
Sean Sherman of The Sioux Chef talks about food’s role in mental health at the Minnesota State Fair
Past Event from August 30, 2018
Chef Sean Sherman, Founder and CEO or The Sioux Chef spoke with MPR News host Tom Crann for a Call to
Mind edition of “Appetites.” Sherman spoke about the role food has played in Native American culture,
and how his work to reclaim indigenous food ways might help people rebalance their physical, mental,
and emotional well-being.
Tell us what to cover:
What questions do you have about mental wellbeing? What do you want to learn more about? What do you
want our
reporters to cover?
Talking about mental health is a critical first step to moving forward—for our own mental wellbeing and
for the
wellbeing of our communities. But when we talk about mental health conditions, it’s important that we use
language
that demonstrates respect and acceptance.
Check your word choice, and make sure you’re creating an environment that’s open and welcoming. Join or
start a conversation
with #calltomind.
As a community we all need to acknowledge that mental health in itself is something we have and mental
health challenges
is something we all deal with. So acknowledge that we are all going through this and acknowledge that we
all go
through
it in different ways.