With all that’s going on in our world, nation and local communities, our mental health and wellbeing continues to be tested.
A Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted in July 2020 found 53% of adults in the US reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the coronavirus. These data were further supported by the CDC, who issued a report citing that the percentage of adults with recent symptoms of an anxiety or depressive disorder had increased from 36.4% in August 2020 to 41.5% in February 2021, and the percentage of those reporting an unmet mental health care need increased from 9.2% to 11.7%. While all generations are impacted, our own member survey from April 2020 found that a higher proportion of millennials said that their mental and physical health (e.g., anxiety, employer connectedness, sleep, diet, exercise) have suffered more so than usual relative to their Generation X and baby boomer colleagues.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support, and certainly the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted an even greater need.
The goal of this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign is to make mental health and well-being for all a global priority. According to the World Health Organization, “We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement, and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.”
At Vitality, we’re working to do our part by ensuring our employer clients have access to the most innovative and impactful platform and programs to help keep their people physically and mentally healthy, productive and connected.
To help our members strengthen their mental health, here are a few recommendations and available resources:
- Consider the impact that diet, exercise and sleep have on your overall health and wellness.
- Explore our mental and behavioral health learning center and take advantage of a number of resources including access to online therapy services BetterHelp and Talkspace.
- Set a master your mindset goal.
- Read our blog posts including:
- Getting the best rest for you
- Say cheese! The mental health benefits of smiling
- It rains sometimes, and that’s ok
- Finding a peaceful respite in nature
- Making time for yourself during a busy summer season
- Master your mindset
- The benefits of movement on mental health
- Accepting yourself as a whole through self-positivity
- Tools to help you take care of your mental well-being
This World Mental Health Day, we encourage you to take some time for self-care to thoughtfully consider how you are feeling, take advantage of available resources, and consider how you may be able to help others to do the same.
