Monday Musings: Mental Health Awareness Month
♥ May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US ♥. It has been observed here since 1949 and it feels like it has been gaining more attention in recent years as people increasingly recognize the importance of mental wellness, self care, and working to break the negative stereotypes and stigmas that have been associated with mental struggles and mental illness. One of the main goals of the month is to help educate people about mental illnesses and encourage an open dialogue and understanding around the issues and foster a community of empathy and encourage people to seek out help, without guilt or shame.
Engaging in art and creative endeavors, along with therapy and medical care, is one of many ways to help work through mental health issues. I find that journaling, painting, crafting, and scrapbooking helps me express my feelings and struggles and, increasingly, art journaling has helped me process my emotions. These things encourage me to stretch my creativity and become a meditative tool for me which is very therapeutic. Sharing vulnerable feelings though the written word and using paints, gessos, stamps, and digital elements allows me to create freely and use symbolism in my layouts. These things hold meaning to me and really impact my mental clarity and lessen my emotional heaviness. However, it is very hard to share those thoughts and feelings with others. It is hard to be vulnerable. It is worrisome to feel judged. Yet, I also know that by sharing, you can find a connection with others and an emotional support that helps with the healing process.
I created this layout to express my thoughts around mental heath issues and the process to work through the emotions and overcoming the challenges. There are ebbs and flows through the years and ebbs and flows though mental health and mental wellness. My journaling was my way to acknowledge the realities of life, the realities of struggles, the realities of the emotions I’ve felt, and the reality that it’s ok to feel this way and it’s more than ok to share and communicate what’s going on.
There are so many great products in The Lilypad Store that can be used to help with creative therapy and as a supplement to professional treatments for mental health issues. Taking time to create is therapeutic. Taking time to sit with feelings and emotions is therapeutic. Taking time for yourself is important and invaluable. Find products that speak to you and just create. Play around. Try new products and explore. Journal stream-of-consciousness just to get the words out. There is no “correct” way to create. There is no “right” vs. “wrong”. Just simply start. ♥
No one is immune from mental health challenges and they can affect anyone at anytime. So it is important to know that there is help. There are resources available to find help and understand what’s going on and learn how to work through things so you can thrive. You are not alone, and together we can openly discuss mental heath concerns and break the stigma so no one suffers and no one feels they are without hope for help. Reach out to friends, loved ones, medical care providers, a crisis lifeline (call 988 in the US) and seek out help when needed. Remember that you are enough – more than enough – and you are worthy.
