As the world seems like it needs a positive boost, we’re turning towards the Active Minds mental health nonprofit to inspire some of these ideas to emotionally support each other.
Be a friend to colleagues.
Dedicate an hour a week to just chatting about what’s going in their lives and the world around them. No one wants to feel completely isolated. Invite colleagues to coffee or lunch. A little comradery goes a long way.
Don’t ignore youth suicide statistics.
According to Active Minds, 8 percent of white students and 12 percent black students have attempted suicide in the last 12 months. Able double the 8 percent number is accurate for the number across ethnic groups that have contemplated suicide. Thus, there’s time to advocate for mental health programs in school, listening more to your kids at home, and talking to school counselors to learn the difference between teen angst and possible suicidal tendencies. The data came from the CDC and the U.S. Department of health and Human Services.
Step into the sun.
Spending even a few minutes in the sun can boost your mood and Vitamin D levels. Apply sunscreen, so a sunburn doesn’t burst the joy you get from being outside.
Celebrate new leaders.
There are 30 new youth leaders who joined the Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House, But young leaders need to be encouraged on a daily basis. Look around within your own company for someone to mentor. Let your college career services office know you’re available as a mentor. Generally, the commitment is only two hours. Let your student know to ask for a mentor at career services, too. You can also volunteer with or donate to one of the non profits that participated in the forum:
- The AAKOMA Project
- Active Minds
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
- Born This Way Foundation
- Bring Change to Mind
- The Jed Foundation
- Mental Wealth Alliance
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
- Poderistas
- Rare Impact Fund by Rare Beauty
- Student Veterans of America
- Trans Lifeline
- The Trevor Project
- The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health
- Vibrant Emotional Health
- We R Native
Sing.
I didn’t don’t have much in common with my little brother., who’s now an adult with three kids. But we always enjoyed each other when we sang in the car. So many other wise tense moments were broken up by singing. I can name so many other moments that were, too. Whether it’s actually singing or sharing a favorite song on your iPhone, music can boost your mood and provide joy to those around you. It also may help someone open up when there’s a commonality in music taste.
Buy someone lunch or coffee.
Random acts of kindness are always a mood boost. Buy a friend coffee or lunch who’s going through an emotional tough time or offer to buy the stranger behind you at Starbucks a coffee. You may make a new friend.
Good mental health is a continuous practice that can involve the whole community. Be active in the mental health of yourself, your community, and your student.
