Mental Health Awareness month is a great time to refocus our attention and efforts towards the importance of mental health and its impact on our overall wellness. In this issue of the Table of Diversity Weekly, we bring awareness to mental health issues, help reduce the stigma of mental health at work, and share resources for creating a safe environment. Mental Health America started Mental Health Awareness month in 1949 and this year's theme is Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.
Mental Health America says that 'our overall health is significantly affected by our natural and built environment: where we are born, live, learn, work, play, congregate, all influence our health. while we often think of these environmental factors (sometimes call 'social determinants of health,' or the 'vital conditions for well-being') as relating largely to our physical health, it's important to consider the effect of our environment on our mental health and well-being as well. This opens the door to consider education, economic stability, social connections, neighborhood, community infrastructure, and access to care. What we know for sure is that there are many factors that contribute to mental well-being, and we all benefit from stable environments, strong communities, and ready access to needed services.'
This year's theme is especialy important, "The world is constantly changing – for better or for worse – and it can be overwhelming to deal with everything going on around you. While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your own well-being."
Mental Health America says that we can all: Learn, Act, Advocate!
This edition of the Table of Diversity Weekly helps us go from awareness to action on mental health within our organization, ourselves, and our community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained counselor.
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Read. Listen. Watch.
'You're not alone'" CNN Heroes share advice for Mental Health Awareness Month- CNN
"May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year it seems to coincide with a flurry of violent headlines. For many, this constant bad news adds to the stress of everyday life, which may already feel overwhelming.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, each year in the US, one in five adults experience mental illness and one in six children aged 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder. That's millions of people. In 2021, less than half of adults received treatment.
America's mental health crisis is having a widespread impact that touches everyone.
'One of the things that we underestimate as a society is how our global mental health impacts us as individuals. And we have seen it over and over again as we experience gun violence,' said Michele Neff Hernandez, a 2021 CNN Hero who has helped millions navigate grief and loss through her nonprofit Soaring Spirits. 'We can see what happens when people don't get the help they need; there can be tragic consequences.'
Neff Hernandez is one of many CNN Heroes who have found unique ways to help people with their mental health. Some of them marked Mental Health Awareness Month by sharing advice and insight with CNN's Elizabeth Belanger about what is working for their communities."
Bosses say they care about mental health- can workers trust them?- LA Times
"Faced with high levels of worker stress, anxiety and burnout as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies pledged that employee mental health would become a top priority.
Firms promised manager training to ensure bosses were more empathetic toward employee struggles. Some offered more mental health benefits, such as improved insurance coverage and employee assistance programs that offer free therapy sessions.
Despite the increased attention, however, the stigma of mental illness persists, preventing many with bipolar disorder, clinical depression and other maladies from feeling safe enough to be open with employers about their diagnoses and seek out workplace supports that they're legally allowed.
'The vast majority of the corporations, the businesses that are saying, 'Oh, we care, mental health is important,' I just don't believe it,' said Claudia Sahm, a 46-year-old former Federal Reserve economist who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011 and advocates for healthy workplace environments. 'Because until you actually put [in] the money and the resources and the training, it's just words.'
Mood disorders are fairly common. An estimated 21.4% of adults in the U.S. have experienced depression, bipolar disorder or other similar conditions, according to a Harvard Medical School survey.
But frequency hasn't translated into acceptance in the workplace, and finding sustainable employment can be challenging for those with mood disorders and other serious mental illnesses. Of the 14.2 million adults with serious mental illness in the U.S., about 1 million are unemployed, according to a 2020 survey conducted by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration- 1 7% unemployment rate, which is significantly higher than the national average."
'Sesame Street' crew launches emotional well-being initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month- Mashable
"May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and even Elmo and friends are joining in on the call for a more expansive look at youth mental health. Led by Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street's nonprofit educational arm, the organization's new campaign is focused on supporting the emotional well-being of young children.
'Responding to the growing mental health crisis for young children and building on decades of experience developing social-emotional learning content for families, the Workshop will address this critical need through a wide range of activities and engaging content designed for the whole family and available on multiple platforms to reach children and families wherever they are,' the organization wrote in its announcement. 'The youngest children are often overlooked in discussions about mental health- but there's growing evidence that young children are struggling, now more than ever.'
Sesame Workshop's organization-wide initiative is responding to a February report by the American Association of Pediatrics, which declared a nationwide mental health crisis among children.
'Our country is not meeting the behavioral health needs of our young people,' the researchers wrote. 'Although problems with the pediatric mental health system have been known for decades, recent factors, including the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, accelerated its breakdown...The factors driving this crisis are complex, but not insurmountable.'
The campaign will offer strategies caregivers, families, and community providers can use to recognize signs of emotional distress in children and to offer support regulating strong feelings and gaining essential social-emotional skills."
5 Easy Ways to De-Stress During Mental Health Awareness Month- Forbes
"May is Mental Health Awareness Month- following on the heels of April's National Stress Awareness Month- dedicated to raise awareness about mental health, fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate. As mental health concerns in this country continue to climb, it's important to emphasize the importance of work stress as an 'every day and every month' problem worldwide.
Now that April is over and gone, mental health issues remain, and it's important to continue to talk about them. According to a poll conducted for the American Psychological Association, stress continues to climb among American workers, who are struggling with multiple factors and 27% report that most days they are so stressed they cannot function. A majority of adults cited inflation (83%) as the most significant source of stress, followed by violence and crime (75%), the current political climate (66%), and the racial climate (62%).
A Gallup Poll reported that 80% of American workers suffer some type of stress on the job. And half say they need help learning how to manage it. Some work stress is normal, but extreme or chronic pressues can leave workers with a whiplash, harming their health and interfering with the ability to function. Studies show that if we don't take preventative action, stress eventually manifests into the body, taking a harsh toll on our physical and mental health. In fact, according to a recent report by the American Psychological Association, about 76% of adults in the US reported serious physical, mental and emotional health symptoms as a result of stress. Chronic work stress can be just as bad for your mental and physical well-being as smoking or lack of exercise. Prolonged job stress keeps defenses on high alert and raises your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain and a lowered immune system.
What if we could take one action that improves your mental health each day for one month? It could heighten your awareness of how job stress impacts you and teach you to do one easy, quick thing to de-stress so that eventually it becomes an automatic habit. Dr. Patrick K. Porter, neuroscience expert, creator and CEO of Braintap, lists five tips on how to de-stress- even before stress sets in."
How companies can solve the mental health crisis happening in the workforce- Fast Company
"Like so many entrepreneurs, Cesar Carvalho started his company to serve his own needs, betting that a lot of other people had the same problem. In 2012, Carvalho was a McKinsey consultant, working everywhere from his office to his home to on the road serving clients. He wanted a wellness solution that would integrate into his hectic schedule while allowing him access to gyms and classes that catered to his physical- and mental- health. So he cofounded and is CEO of Gympass, which grants employees of subscribed businesses access to not only workout classes, but also wellness services, including nutritionists.
Eleven years later, Carvalho and Gympass's mission is more relevant than ever. According to the new McKinsey State of Organizations 2023 report, 90% of organizations are embracing hybrid work. But more importantly, the company is also at the center of another trend: 9 out of 10 organizations offer some type of wellness program to employees. Benefits can include yoga classes, mindfulness and time-management workshops, paid subscriptions to meditation apps, or even extra days off from work for mental health care. Most employees are affected by mental health challenges in some way, according to McKinsey's report.
That's why systemic interventions that encompass the entire workforce are required, instead of individual solutions. 'Physical activity is important for mental health. Nutrition is important for mental health. Sleep is important to mental health,' says Carvalho. 'The solution to the mental health crisis has to be holistic. Organizations can't solve it with a spot solution for individual employees.' Companies ranging from conglomerates to startups are incorporating different solutions to improve their workers' physical and mental well-being in an effort to keep them feeling good and working well. The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's 2023 report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, comes to similar conclusions: 'Consider the opportunities and challenges posed by flexible work hours and arrangements (including remote, hybrid, and in-person work), which may impact workers' abilities to connect with others both within and outside of work. Evaluate how these policies can be applied equitably across the workforce."
More than 1in 6 adults have depression as rates rise to record levels in the US, survey finds- CNN
"Depression is more widespread than ever in the United States, according to a new report from Gallup. About 18% of adults-more than 1 in 6- say they are depressed or receiving treatment for depression, a jump of more than 7 percentage points since 2015, when Gallup first started polling on the topic.
Nearly 3 in 10 adults have been clinically diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime, according to the survey, which is also a record high.
The Covid-19 pandemic took an undeniable toll on mental health. Rates of clinical depression had been rising steadily in the US but 'jumped notably' in recent years, the Gallup data shows.
'The fact that Americans are more depressed and struggling after this time of incredible stress and isolation is perhaps not surprising,' said Dr. Rebecca Brendel, president of the American Psychiatric Association, which was not involved in the new research. 'There are lingering effects on our health, especially our mental health, from the past three years that disrupted everything we knew.'
But experts say that awareness around mental health has grown, which could lead to higher rates of diagnoses- and that's not a bad thing."
Being Mindful About How We Use Mental Health Terminology
"The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.
Over the past few years, you've probably found yourself online viewing and reacting to bite size pieces of mental health information. At times in an attempt to better understand ourselves and the world we live in, we digest and share pieces of information that we don't fully understand or properly reflect our experiences. Take for example, the terms trauma bonding, gaslighting, and narcissism. All terms that you've probably heard before, and maybe even used in your everyday life. But, are you using them correctly?
Joining me today for another one of our Group Chat conversations are my friends and colleagues Dr. Ayana Abrams and Dr. Joy Beckwith, both psychologists in Atlanta. During our conversation, we break down the definition of key terms we've noticed people using online and share suggestions on how to be more mindful around information online."
Queer Mental Health with Candice Czubernat
"Being brave is not easy, it's a tough battle- sound familiar?
Candice is a therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, an LGBTQ-affirming counseling, coaching, and spiritual direction organization.
Also, Candice is the founder of Gloriously Queer, a conference for LGBTQ people of faith developed by LGBTQ people of faith.
As a therapist, Candice helps individuals and couples worldwide navigate complex mental health experiences while living as queer people of faith.
Candice was named one of the '10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know" by The Advocate. She is a seasoned blogger, speaker, and author on LGBTQ Christianity and mental health issues.
Candice graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Candice identifies as a lesbian and Christian, who lives in California with her wife and their 5-year-old twins."
There's no shame in taking care of your mental health- Sangu Delle
"When stress got to be too much for TED Fellow Sangu Delle, he had to confront his own deep prejudice that men shouldn't take care of their mental health. In a personal talk, Delle shares how he learned to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions. As he says, "Being honest about how we feel doesn't make us weak- it makes us human."
2024 Activities
This year's activities follow the theme, "Where to Start" we are going to Learn, Act, and Advocate!
Activity 1- Learn: The best way to learn is to start with yourself. Take one of Mental Health America's Mental Health Tests. This online screening tool is a great place to better understand your mental health. After completing this short assessment, you gain access to a wealth of information about that mental health topic. Your challenge is to complete one assessment and learn more about that topic.
Activity 2- Act: Much like your physical health, your mental health requires daily attention. For this activity, craft a daily (or weekly) mental health wellness plan. What are the actions that aid in your mental wellness? A daily walk? Meditation? Speaking with a therapist? Finding the right medication? Whatever it is, write down what you plan to do to keep your mental health in check. Share your plan with a trusted family member, colleague, or friend so they can cheer you on and hold you accountable.
Activity 3- Advocate: Think about your sphere of influence. Are you a leader in your organization? A volunteer in the community? Engaged with your Home Owner's Association? Wherever you spend time, start a conversation about mental health awareness and action. Are there gaps in how mental health is addressed? How can you do better to ensure mental health is considered in all decision-making processes?
2023 Activities
Activity 1: 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month theme is Look Around, Look Within.
This week's activity is to review your EAP- Employee Assistance Program.
What does it offer and is it meeting the needs of your employees?
What is the goal of your organization's EAP?
What aspects of the EAP do you use?
How can you revamp the program or amplify its benefits to your team or department?
Activity 2: This year's Mental Health Awareness theme is Look Around, Look Within.
This week's conversation starter is to get vulnerable.
Share your mental health goals, if you feel you can do so safely and comfortably.
What goals do you have to improve your mental health?
Similar to physical health goals like weight loss, improved cholesterol, or eating more fruits and vegetables, think about your mental health goals and share them with someone you trust.
Activity 3: This year's Mental Health Awareness theme is Look Around, Look Within.
This week's challenge is to get to know your community. According to Mental Health America, 'one of the biggest ways your location can impact your mental health is how easy or hard it is to access the things you need. This includes healthy foods, safe outdoor space, quality medical care, and public transportation (which still might not get you where you need to go in a reasonable amount of time even when you do have access). Because local income taxes usually fund public services, low-income areas are often under-resourced in quality education, road maintenance, community programs, and more, which can make it difficult for people to meet their basic needs.'
As you get to know your community, take note of the quantity and quality of healthy foods, safe outdoor space, quality medical care, and public transportation.
Then, go to another part of the city. What do you notice about the access to healthy foods, safe outdoor space, medical care, and public transportation?
With each area of your city that you visit, take note of these things.
What's a community effort you could join to facilitate change in one of these areas for you and your neighbors? If you recognize that your neighbors (even in another part of town) don't have access to fresh, healthy food, how can you help change that?