WAVE Educational Fund continued their community discussions surrounding the effects of COVID-19 on Wednesday, May 20th. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I was eager to be apart of the conversation for both personal and communal reasons.
Leading the topics of breaking down stigma and solutions based on existing activities, was Community Outreach Coordinator, Deja Garner. Attendees shared their feelings and experiences about mental health and what resources we already have in place that point towards healing. Some contributing factors to ones mental state include family history, cultural norms, discrimination, income and social status. There's no need to feel alone when 1 in 5 adults experience mental health problems. Below is a list of common emotions to consider that we as a group felt last week.
Fearful
Fatigued
Oddly inspired
Fiery
Creative
All over, up and down
Overwhelmed
Anxious
Some healthy coping mechanisms expressed by the group were communicating with a counselor or therapist, daily exercise like yoga practice and simply encouraging one another. Don't beat yourself up for not sticking to your planned workout regimen. Give yourself a break and start again each day.
Right now, we have an opportunity to make 'normal' better than before. Whether that pertains to capitalism, oppression or just drinking more water, we as a community have the power in our hands. While we continue to social distance, let's remember that healthy humans interact with each other.
For all sorts of mental health information please visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255.