raising awareness for mental health

1. Every person can practice mental health.
2. Mental health is mental health, not mental illness.
3. Mental health is an a combination of actions made up of our thoughts, feelings, and choices, among which exists an undeniable connection.
4. Our thoughts shape our feelings and actions, especially the thoughts we have about the feelings we experience.
5. We can learn to think in new ways that improve how we think, what we feel, and the choices we make. This is the practice of mental health.
6. You can prevent mental ill-health by being proactive about your mental health now. Mental health awareness must reach beyond Mental Health Awareness month, and must redirect our focus toward mental health.

When it comes to Mental Health Awareness, messaging predominantly points to identifying signs of depression or anxiety, highlighting available treatment resources, or normalizing mental illness through influential story-telling - all of which bring awareness to mental ill-health, not mental health.

The World Health Organization estimates that there has been a 13% increase in mental illness conditions world-wide over the past decade. Despite advances in treatment and access to care, which undoubtedly still have far to go, this trend in worsening mental health will continue.

Treatment is necessary, yes; but if we are going to stop experiences of depression and anxiety from worsening, as has been the trend we must shift our thinking, messaging, and action to prevention. 

We must go upstream and reach people with education and messaging that promotes proactive (preventative) mental health care.

It is no longer sufficient for the reactionary (treatment) end of the spectrum to corner the market on mental health "awareness." Messaging regarding: 1) the opportunity to engage in self-directed and self-sustaining proactive mental health care; and 2) descriptive beginning steps toward improving one’s mental health through thought change must be brought directly to the people.

That's how we're redefining mental health awareness and bringing that awareness directly to you.