May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Did you know that Mental Health Awareness Month has been recognized every year since 1949? That's seventy-one years of bringing awareness to and minimizing stigma around mental health!
Here are some simple tips for how to gain and share mental health awareness:
1. Take care of yourself FIRST. Seriously. Check in with you. How are you doing? Do you need water? A delicious snack? A creative outlet? A solo dance party in your room? A friend? A nap? A good cry? Getting your needs met is the most impactful thing you can do, especially when you are struggling. When you take care of yourself, you can be more present in your own life and in the lives of those around you.
2. Explore mental health organization websites and learn about mental health! There are so many organizations that have information about mental health diagnoses, signs and symptoms of concern, and how to seek treatment. Just to name a few:
3. Check in with loved ones. When we are struggling, feeling lonely, and/or isolated, often what we truly need is connection; to know we are not alone in our struggle. When you ask someone how they are doing, and they respond, "Good," "Okay," or "Fine," it's highly likely that they are not actually feeling any of these things. Go ahead and ask again.
4. Share your story. If you've had personal experience with a mental health concern, share your story with others. Again, we thrive on connection. We cannot do this "life" thing alone. You never know who could benefit from hearing about your experience and how you overcame your struggle; or, how you are still learning to overcome your struggle.
5. Encourage kindness toward yourself and others. It's 2020, and it's cool to be kind. I promise.
It's time to acknowledge that mental health is for EVERYONE (especially now, in the midst of a global pandemic). I'm willing to bet that you or someone you know and love has experienced some sort of mental health concern. And it's okay. It's a common human experience. It's time to normalize and heal mental health.
You know what else people typically have in common? MUSIC! Music plays a significant role in terms of mental health and wellness. Research demonstrates the efficacy of music activities (i.e. receptive listening, active music-making) with persons dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, PTSD, and other mental health concerns.
One of my favorite quotes about the power of music:
Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul. - Unknown
And it's so true, isn't it? Music can express that which seems so difficult to put into words. It can make us feel like we are connected to something; like we belong, and like we matter. Music helps us connect with other people--loved ones and strangers, alike! Music inspires us to reach our full potential, motivates us to pursue our dreams, empowers us overcome adversity, and validates our emotions.
Here are 10 songs related to mental health and wellness!
1. Carole King - You've Got a Friend (1971)
If the sky above you grows dark and full of clouds, and that old north wind begins to blow Keep your head together, and call my name out loud, soon you'll hear me knocking at your door You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come running to see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call, and I'll be there, yes, I will, you've got a friend
2. Barry Manilow – I Made it Through the Rain (1976)
When friends are hard to find and life seems so unkind, sometimes you feel so afraid Just aim beyond the clouds, and rise above the crowds, and start your own parade 'Cause when I chased my fears away, that's when I knew that I could finally say I made it through the rain
3. Howard Jones – Things Can Only Get Better (1985)
Treating today as though it was the last, the final show, get to sixty and feel no regret It may take a little time a lonely path, an uphill climb, success or failure will not alter it And do you feel scared, I do, but I won't stop and falter And if we threw it all away, things can only get better
4. Cyndi Lauper – True Colors (1986)
You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged, oh I realize it's hard to take courage In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all The darkness inside you can make you feel so small Show me a smile then, don't be unhappy, can't remember when I last saw you laughing This world makes you crazy, and you've taken all you can bear Just call me up 'cause I will always be there And I see your true colors shining through, I see your true colors, And that's why I love you So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors are beautiful...like a rainbow
5. Wilson Phillips – Hold On (1990)
I know there's pain, why do you lock yourself up in these chains? No one can change your life except for you, don't ever let anyone step all over you Just open your heart and your mind, is it really fair to feel this way inside? Don't you know things can change, things'll go your way If you hold on for one more day, hold on for one more day
6. Incubus – Drive (1999)
Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear And I can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer It's driven me before, and it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal But lately I am beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there with open arms and open eyes
7. Coldplay – Fix You (2005)
When you try your best but you don't succeed When you get what you want but not what you need When you feel so tired but you can't sleep, stuck in reverse When the tears come streaming down your face 'Cause you lose something you can't replace When you love someone but it goes to waste, what could it be worse? Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones, and I will try to fix you
8. Ingrid Michaelson – Be OK (2008)
I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay, I just want to be okay today I just want to feel today, feel today, feel today, I just want to feel something today Open me up and you will see, I'm a gallery of broken hearts I'm beyond repair, let me be, and give me back my broken parts
9. Christina Perri – Human (2013)
But I'm only human, and I bleed when I fall down I'm only human, and I crash and I break down Your words in my head, knives in my heart You build me up and then I fall apart, 'cause I'm only human
10. Jason Mraz – 3 Things (2014)
There are three things I do when my life falls apart Number one I cry my eyes out and I dry up my heart Not until I do this will my new life start So that's the first thing that I do when my life falls apart Oh the second thing that I would do is I would close both of my eyes And sing my thank yous to each and every moment of my life I go where I know the love is and let it feel me up inside Gathering new strength from sorrow, I'm glad to be alive
And, a bonus!
We've curated a YouTube playlist of songs from the past 50 years related to mental health and wellness!
What songs do you listen to for your mental health and healing? Share them with us and we will add them to our playlist!
We are proud to support our community in providing music services for mental health and wellness needs. If you or a loved one is interested in receiving music therapy sessions for a mental health concern (i.e. depression, stress, anxiety, PTSD, addiction); or, if you'd like a referral for services with a licensed mental health professional, contact us and let us know! We are here to help you. And, if you are struggling to ask for help, just know that we are here to support you when you are ready. Check in with our team and let us know how you are doing.
If you are in crisis, please contact a crisis helpline:
Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741