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Between the stress of learning from home, pandemic stress and the overall change of seasons; it’s important to check in with yourself because there is no health without mental health.
‘There is no health without mental health’ is the theme of this years Mental Illness Awareness Week. Mental Illness Awareness Week is put on by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH).
This volunteer run association works endlessly to make sure enough mental health education is provided to the public. This way more people are educated and join the conversation so the stigma around mental illness eventually disappears.
Their vision is that all Canadians affected by mental illness deserve the same care, support and respect as people affected by physical illness.
University of Guelph student, Sara Rudell shares a similar passion advocating for mental health and found a way to get involved by becoming an Executive member of the Guelph Chapter of jack.org.
Jack.org is a Canadian organization found among high schools and universities that acts as a platform for young mental health advocates. The platform allows young advocates to speak out in their communities and help take away some of the shame surrounding mental health.
“It’s a very welcoming environment,” she said. “It’s really nice to be part of a group of people who are so open when it comes to mental health and are always checking in with each other.”
As an executive member, Rudell spends much of her time organizing events, creating welcoming environments for students and promoting mental health awareness on campus (through social media platforms and virtually at the moment).
“Being a part of a group with open communication has made me more inclined to check in on myself as well, which is just as important.”
While there is no specified training to be an executive member, Rudell explained that the organization does provide online modules to help their members interact with those who may be struggling.
Rudell says although not everyone has mental illness, everyone does have mental health.
Some of the things Rudell has learned help her to alleviate stress when life feels busy:
- Creating intention lists: small every day tasks to check off so the day doesn’t seem so overwhelming and you feel more accomplished (e.g. make bed, ate breakfast, brush teeth)
- Creating daily/ weekly smart goals: a list of things that are realistic to get done that wont create self doubt when the day becomes too hard (e.g. write one page of study notes instead of finish study notes)
- Creating a boundary while at home online learning: find places to work that aren’t places you enjoy going at the end of the day to relieve stress (e.g. work at the kitchen table, not the bed)
- Get up, make your bed and get into an outfit you like. Allow yourself to feel like you’re starting a day on campus.
- Transitions: instead of closing your laptop and packing up your stuff to go to the next class — at home try and find something to do as a ‘break’ between online classes (e.g. take a quick walk, have a cup of tea, listen to a favourite song)
- Unplug: allow yourself to wind down from working and enjoy time to yourself (e.g. use do not disturb and don’t reply to anything work or school related that isn’t necessary.
Sara Rudell on overall mental health
Although Mental Illness Awareness week wraps up October 10, don’t let the conversation end there.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association: In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.
Resources:
https://www.fanshawec.ca/student-life/student-services/counselling-services
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