Why Does World Mental Health Day Matter?

Did you know that by the age of 40, nearly half of the population will have faced or will be grappling with a mental health challenge? It is a striking statistic, revealing the pervasive nature of mental health challenges in our communities. Here is an even more critical insight: for many, the shadows of mental health troubles begin to cast their presence before the age of 18!  

So, the question arises: How do we address the escalation of mental health issues? Part of the answer lies in the proactive care of our mental well-being, from a tender age and throughout life.  

Today, we acknowledge World Mental Health Day, an annual reminder marked on October 10th, urging us to raise our awareness of the importance of mental well-being, which is a global phenomenon. 

Nurturing mental health in our community is a collective effort and it starts with a coach leading a happy team, a teacher, fostering a thriving learning environment, and a workplace promoting a positive work culture. 

In this article, we aim to bring attention to World Mental Health Day; as well as share practical tips and resources that will help you prioritize mental wellness into your daily routine and bring balance into your life. For those seeking a career path to help those with mental health challenges, we’ve included a brief overview of our Addictions and Community Health Professional Diploma program. 

Why World Mental Health Day Matters

People going through mental health challenges often feel isolated like no one else understands them. There’s often this fear that if they share their conditions like dealing with depression or having post-traumatic stress disorder — with their coworkers or employers, they might be stigmatized, or worse, they could lose their jobs. Sometimes they also keep their struggles away from their friends and family.   

World Mental Health Day is crucial as it:  

Breaks The Silence 

World Mental Health Day fosters open conversations. It breaks the silence, reduces stigma, and fights isolation. The significance of this day brings the issue to the forefront and helps victims speak up about their struggles without fear, creating a safe space for them and better understanding among everyone.  

Educates The Masses  

World Mental Health Day provides insights into different mental health challenges people go through. This knowledge fosters understanding and also emphasizes the importance of empathy making it easier for coworkers, friends, and family to grasp what someone might be experiencing. 

Promotes Well-Being  

World Mental Health Day is all about action. It pushes for spotting issues early, stepping in when needed, and making sure the right resources are there for everyone. The goal is to create a world where everyone is seen and heard. By tossing out stigma, people dealing with mental health challenges can ask for help when they need it thereby promoting mental well-being.  

What Can You Do to Contribute to World Mental Health Day?

Before we dive into the ways you can be a part of World Mental Health Day, let’s acknowledge something crucial: taking care of yourself is the first step in supporting others. Just like the safety instructions on a plane remind you to secure your oxygen mask before helping others, ensuring your well-being is fundamental. 

Let’s break this down into two essential aspects: 1) self-care and 2) supporting others – and explore how you can make a positive impact on World Mental Health Day starting with yourself. 

Self-Reflection And Self-Care  

On World Mental Health Day, your first commitment is to yourself. Take a moment to: 

• Reflect on Your Mental Health: Understanding your emotions, identifying stressors, and acknowledging your feelings are key. Consider the signs – if your job is a constant source of stress or your current position leaves you feeling unsatisfied and unhappy it might be a red flag. Recognizing when it’s time for a change is a powerful form of self-care. 
• Practice Self-Care: Whether it’s a few moments of meditation, getting lost in a good book, or simply taking a short walk, carve out time for yourself. In the whirlwind of daily life, this is your anchor. Self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary.

Support To Others 

As we navigate World Mental Health Day, extending support to others is equally crucial. Here’s how you can contribute: 

• Spread the Word: Awareness comes through conversation. Engage in discussions about mental health with friends, share informative posts on social media, or consider attending local events or webinars dedicated to the cause. By breaking the silence, you become a beacon of understanding in your community.  
• Support the Cause: Actions speak volumes. Consider making a difference through donations or volunteering. Your contributions can have a substantial impact, aiding in resource allocation, supporting research initiatives, and fostering the creation of more accessible mental health facilities. Every small effort contributes to a larger, collective push towards mental health and well-being.  

Essential Resources for Help 

If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s imperative to seek help immediately. Remember, asking for assistance isn’t a sign of weakness but of strength. Here are essential resources available to you: 

Local Health Facilities

Many hospitals and clinics provide mental health services. Reach out to your local health facilities to explore available resources and support.   

Helplines

There are national helplines dedicated to addressing mental health concerns, including Talk Suicide Canada: (833) 456-4566, Kids Help Phone: 1 (800) 668-6868, and First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1 (855) 242-3310. There are also numerous provincial and local helplines. A simple call can connect you with professionals who are ready to lend an understanding ear. 

Therapists & Counselors

Professional guidance is invaluable. Therapists and counselors are equipped to offer the necessary support and therapeutic intervention tailored to their patient’s specific needs.  

Some of these professionals can be accessed through Wellness Together Canada which provides support for Canadians with mental health issues and addictions. Always virtual and without charge, people can get peer support as well as contact a counselor. 

Support Groups

Connecting with others who are going through similar challenges can be profoundly comforting. Support groups create a sense of community and understanding, reminding people at risk that they’re not alone in their journey. 

LifeLine Canada Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on preventing suicide by raising awareness of risk factors, providing online resources, and developing community support systems for both individuals going through a difficult time and those who have lost a loved one. 

How You Can Make a Lasting Impact on Those in Need

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Are you driven to positively impact your community? Then, you may want to become a skilled professional in roles such as youth care worker, community outreach support worker, addictions worker, and other sought-after positions in this field.  

For this, you need a proper post-secondary education like Sundance College’s Addictions & Community Health Professional (ACHP) Diploma program. 

Jeremiah A., one of our Addictions and Community Health Professional instructors (you can see him in the picture above), notes:  

“The ACHP program’s curriculum emphasizes building genuine connections with people in need, understanding their unique backgrounds, and adopting an inclusive approach to care. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on training, students are prepared to handle real-world situations.” 

Through the ACHP curriculum, you will: 

• Understand the intricacies of mental health and addiction abuse: The program covers chemical and behavioral addictions, including stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, opioids, cannabis, gambling, food, internet, shopping, and sex. Moreover, it explores prevention techniques, harm reduction strategies, and treatment procedures. 
• Master intake procedures and treatment planning: During the program, you’ll learn the topics and processes related to intake, assessment, and factors affecting case management and service delivery. In addition, you’ll be taught practical hands-on exercises and role-playing for intake and assessment skills. 
• Develop interviewing and counseling strategies: You’ll develop essential skills for conducting successful interviewing and counseling sessions, emphasizing ethics, values, self-awareness, and evidence-based treatment approaches. 
• Understand group facilitation concepts, where you’ll be introduced to basic concepts and skills associated with facilitating a group, including exploration of group stages, processes, therapeutic forces, and the purpose of groups. 
• And more, including supporting high-risk populations, exploring family dynamics, and relapse prevention. 

Sundance College emphasizes the cultivation of self-care habits for our aspiring addicts and community health professionals. We offer a free mental wellness program to all students that provides 24/7 access to confidential real-time or appointment-based mental health support. 

Join Sundance College in Making a Difference

Interested in contributing to World Mental Health? One of the ways is to step into a career where mental health care is central. For this, you need to complete specialized post-secondary education. Sundance College’s Addictions & Community Health Professional (ACHP) Diploma program isn’t just about earning a diploma; it’s about joining a community passionate about helping others and better mental health for all.  

According to one of our ACHP graduates, Willoe C.: 

“If you are looking for a college with wraparound supports, Sundance is the one. I have completed my ACHP program, and throughout the program – even though it was completed online aside from the Practicum, I had the support of teachers, staff, and other students. Everyone was great and I felt supported throughout the program. I also had total support from friends and family. The Practicum allowed me to put my skills, education, and training into real-life situations to hone them, and I was placed with an amazing group of people.” 

We aim for each of our students to have a similar experience. Contact our admission advisors today to explore how Sundance College’s ACHP program can lead you to a fulfilling career with both knowledge and support. Let’s work together in prioritizing, understanding, and supporting mental health.