October 4 began Mental Illness Awareness Week and the 7 days of awareness and advocacy culminate Saturday, October 10, on World Mental Health Day.

I’ve written several different posts over the years about mental health awareness and recognizing symptoms of possible mental illness, but I *know* I am not speaking just for myself when I say that discussing mental wellness hits differently this year.

We *all* have been through the ringer—in some way, shape, or form.

Whether you were furloughed or had to quit a job to stay home with children, lost loved ones to coronavirus, or were sick from covid-19 yourself, very few of us have experienced so much uncertainty, continuous stress, or collective trauma before this year.

I’m one of the lucky ones. My family has stayed well during these last 6 months, and my son recently returned to in-person schooling after a tumultuous few weeks of virtual learning.

Though I did work from home a couple of weeks, I’ve been able to maintain a critical sense of normalcy by relying on family to help with childcare while working from my office.

There have been hardships and hiccups to be sure, but I can only imagine how demanding and crushing it is to be stuck in your home since March, trying to perform your job responsibilities while supervising children.

I say all this because, unless you are immune to these hardships, your mental health has probably suffered, and it might be difficult to recognize situational anxiety and depression from a more serious, chronic condition or mental illness.

Likewise, it’s more difficult right now to make in-person appointments with medical professionals or counselors, and, if you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, you may not know where to turn.

That’s why I’d like to share 5 ways you can virtually advocate for and support Mental Illness Awareness Week while quarantined.

5 Ways to Virtually Support Mental Illness Awareness Week

Donate

Mental Health America and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) make it easy to support national mental health initiatives, but try researching organizations in your own community.

Last year, Forbes shared this list of effective mental health charities.

The Loveland Foundation specifically focuses on connecting Black individuals with therapy and mental health resources.

Advocate for Workplace Wellness Programs/Initiatives

Whether you are working from home or onsite, you can still reach out to your Human Resources or employee wellness departments.

Some ideas? Annual or quarterly mental health first aid training; making mental health resources (hotlines, pamphlets, etc.) more visible by displaying them throughout the facility; and encouraging management or department heads to offer periodic “retreats” to give employees a mental break and “thank you” for their hard work and efforts.

Share Your Own Story

Talking about one’s own struggles is one of the least expensive and most helpful ways to break stigma surrounding mental illness and treatment. Whether you have an existing blog or podcast—or if you simply approach a friend, family member, or peer on a personal level—reaching out and being vulnerable can make a difference.

Attend/Participate in Virtual Summits

Just a few virtual events:

March for Mental Health with Go Speak Your Mind on October 9 – #MoveForMentalHealth
Wellness Reset: A Mental Health Summit (sponsored by World Federation for Mental Health) on October 10 (featuring 18 expert therapists, authors, and other professionals)
Mental Health Matters Virtual Race with Still I Run
The Wellness Experience by Kroger (this one is free and will include yoga, an anxiety workshop with singer/author Jewel, and a concert featuring several bands and artists)

Support Mental Health Influencers and Social Media Accounts

There are so many mental health influencers and activists on the internet; support their work by signing up for their newsletters, contributing to their patreon or purchasing their products, and sharing their articles, videos, and photos.

Erin’s Inside Job – she speaks openly about her recovery from drug and alcohol addiction as well as her struggles with depression, disordered eating, and OCD
Rosey Rebecca – she tirelessly advocates for justice and shares her own struggles with ADHD and OCD
Joanna Talks Feelings – a psychotherapist who challenges and encourages her readers and Instagram followers with her career insight and empathy
Black Girl in Om – a community founded in 2014, whose goal is “to rewrite the narrative of what ‘wellbeing’ looks like”
Therapy for Black Girls – a space that is specifically dedicated to the mental wellness and wellbeing of Black women and girls