Mental Health - Widower Experience (WX)

Anything to raise awareness about mental health is important and I do welcome days like "Mental Health Awareness Day" - and as every year on 10th October is World Mental Health Day - but it can't be allowed to be a day where companies, organisations, brands even, think they can pay lip service to it for a day and then forget all about it for the rest of the year. Sure it is good to have a dedicated day in the year - a day when we throw a spotlight on some of the biggest societal challenges that pose a threat to people’s mental health ... but - the mental health conversation and the mental health support required need to be ever-present.  World Mental Health Day is happening on Thursday 10th October 2024. The official theme is set annually by the World Federation for Mental Health. And the theme, as chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health is: “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”. With worldwide issues like the Covid pandemic, social injustice...

Each May, the world unites to honor Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to focusing on mental health, raising awareness about mental health issues, and breaking down the stigma surrounding them. This month is a significant opportunity for us to make an impact by promoting understanding and providing valuable information on mental health. In a fast-paced and ever-changing world, where societal, technological, and personal pressures are at an all-time high, prioritizing mental health has become more critical than ever. The rapid shifts in our daily lives - whether through work demands, social media influence, or global uncertainties - can take a significant toll on our well-being. By fostering greater awareness and a deeper understanding, we can empower individuals to navigate these challenges with resilience, compassion, and the support they need. What Does Mental Health Awareness Mean? Mental health is just as important as physical health. Despite this, discussions around m...

We’ve all heard and know about First Aid - what to do if someone is choking on a small piece of food or having trouble breathing. Or we even have  learned something like CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation  the lifesaving technique. But, do you know what to do if someone around you is showing signs of depression, or possibly even having a panic attack or suicidal thoughts? That’s when and what MHFA Mental Health First Aid is for. Just like First Aid techniques teaches you how to help someone having a critical situation like a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. You learn to be aware of, see and risk factors and warning signs for mental illness and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations and where to turn for help. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is more than a vital awareness and education training. It’s also a great option and path for...

World Mental Health Day 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. This more than ever important when we see all the wars we have to see in Ukraine and Israel. Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community. Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental he...

Everyone has to deal with varying levels of stress. This can be particularly difficult to manage if you also have symptoms of depression or anxiety. When you feel like your stress levels have reached their peak, it might be time to take a quick break to reset. A mental health day is a day you take off from work or school, and minimize any commitments or responsibilities. You can use this time to focus on relieving stress, relaxing, having fun, and preventing burnout. While one day might not solve heavy underlying problems that lead to burnout, a mental health day can provide a much-needed break to pause, regroup, and come back with greater levels of energy and a fresh, less-stressed perspective. World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 by an organization called the World Federation for Mental Health.4 Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) supports World Mental Health Day as well. The day is meant to raise awareness about mental health issues, re...

The World Mental Health Day is an international day of awareness and action. It has been recognized since 1992, as mental health activists and practitioners across the world work to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. The day was initially created by the World Federation of Mental Health. Many people - most people get challenged, or depressed at one point or another throughout their lives. Whether it’s caused by a challenging moment in life, whether it is privately or business, or environmental stress, or mental illness, feelings of depression can become difficult for many people. Unfortunately some people get so depressed as a result of their situation, or mental illness or life circumstances, that they find themselves at a certain point in a hole, or a blind or dead-end road / situation, or even consider suicide as an option to escape from their emotional pain. I had a number of challenging moments, experience and time of life I was and I am ab...

In anticipation of the upcoming Sunday, May 4th, I'm sharing my thoughts on International Firefighters' Day – May 4th. As is often the case, the English version has been completed before the German one, so here's the English version for you in advance. For many, May 4th is synonymous with Star Wars as fans around the world celebrate with the famous phrase, "May the Fourth be with you." But this day holds another, often less recognized, significance: It is International Firefighters' Day. While the holiday may be lesser known, it carries immense weight, particularly for those who dedicate their lives to protecting others through bravery and sacrifice.  The origins of this day are deeply rooted in history. In many parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, it was historically associated with St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. St. Florian, who died a martyr's death in 304 AD, represents the courage, selflessness, and duty to others that...

Children’s mental health is an essential foundation for their happiness, development, and success. On Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, we are reminded of the critical need to support the emotional well-being of the youngest among us. Mental health deserves the same care and attention as physical health, yet it often goes overlooked or misunderstood. By open conversations about emotions and resilience within our families and communities, we can empower children to navigate their feelings and the inevitable challenges of life with confidence and strength. Positive mental health is not just about the absence of struggle—it’s about fostering tools for self-esteem, inner resilience, and emotional regulation. For children, receiving encouragement and learning strategies for managing their mental well-being can be transformational. Inspirational quotes offer a simple yet powerful way to communicate these values and lessons. They hold timeless wisdom that transcends age and provide chil...

Blue Monday is often referred to as the most depressing day of the year. It falls on the third Monday of January. Blue Monday was first highlighted in 2005 by psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall. According to Arnall, this particular day is a combination of various factors, such as the aftereffects of the holidays, cold weather, overdue bills, and the realization that New Year's resolutions may already have failed. The combination of these factors is said to create a "perfect storm" of negative emotions, leading people to feel down or even hopeless. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea of the "most depressing day of the year." Mental health issues can occur at any time and are influenced by a variety of personal, social, and environmental factors. Nevertheless, the concept of Blue Monday has gained broad acceptance, particularly because it resonates with the feelings many people experience in January—an emotional low after the holiday season and...

This should be a Call for Compassion, Openness, and Change Every year on September 10 , we observe World Suicide Prevention Day – a global awareness day that reminds us of one vital truth: we must stop treating suicide like something we can’t talk about . It’s a day for survivors, for families, for friends — and for all of us. A day that calls us to break the silence, confront the stigma, and create real, lasting change. A day to say out loud: Mental health crises, tragedies related to mental health can be / might be averted — through listening, through empathy, through action - an open ear, open mind, and open heart.   The Reality – Quiet, but Devastating According to the World Health Organization (WHO) , over 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions . Anxiety and depression are among the most common. Still, most people suffer in silence . Every 40 seconds , someone dies by suicide. That’s around 800,000 people a year — more than war, natural disaste...

In the course of my work and blogging in the field of mental health, it has become abundantly clear that mental health, equality, and self-determination are closely linked to both small and large politics. This became even clearer to me as I researched and wrote articles for International Women's Day . Legislation, regulations, and especially resource allocation are crucial. Political conditions, societal conditions, and decisions influence the availability and access to mental health services, support, and other resources. Laws and budgets determine how much money is allocated to the system and the healthcare system, and what priorities are set. Equality: P olitical measures to promote equality, whether in terms of gender, race, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, have direct impacts on the well-being and quality of life of individuals. Laws against discrimination and for equal opportunities are crucial for the mental health of marginalized groups. Self-Determination: Po...

You don’t have to laugh, smile, or have to be positive all the time.  It’s human and it normal and okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared and anxious. Having emotions and bad or negative feelings doesn’t make you a negative person. Where are shadows - there must be light and sun as well - and there are hope, love and confidence and trust, even when a moment might tell you something else.  Mental health is an integral component of maintaining good overall health and life. And mental health is the centered point and basement maintaining individual wellbeing.  Mental health, good emotions, and happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to feel the warm and the light of the sun. Adopting good mental health practices are good building blocks in order to establish a strong foundation for overall wellness and good life. In honor of the #WorldMentalHealthDay here are tips for achieving and maintaining positive mental health. Val...