On Mental Health Action Day, People Were Empowered to Prioritize Mental Wellness
On May 20, more than 1,000 businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and cultural leaders came together for the first-ever Mental Health Action Day. The day was designed to move the mental health conversation from awareness to action, with partners pledging to assist people by providing the resources and support to properly care for their mental health.
Meditation is one of the many effective actions a person can take to support their mental wellbeing and Headspace offered its users the opportunity to practice meditation and mindfulness on Mental Health Action Day. The mental wellness app hosted a mental health discussion on Tik-Tok, along with a meditation led by mindfulness instructor and psychotherapist Kessonga Giscombe.
The Mental Health Coalition hosted a special 121 Series on MHAD with mental health advocates Jeremy Fall and Yung Pueblo. The two spoke about their own mental health journeys, as well as how mental health action can help you find the path to your superpower. The chat was moderated by Keo Motsepe and Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) President Dr. Luana Marques joined to share her professional insight on supporting your mental health.
These are just a couple of the 1,4000 companies and organizations that encouraged people to participate in MHAD, including Chipotle, March for Our Lives, TikTok, the NBA, Therapy for Black Girls, and UNICEF. You can see the full list of partners here.
The importance of making action a mental health priority was highlighted across several industries, including tech, beauty & fitness, and gaming. Additionally, tools for mental health action were provided for specific groups who are often given inadequate resources, such as veterans, Black Americans, students, and the LGBT community.
Celebrities and influencers also used their platforms to encourage followers to participate in Mental Health Action Day. Former NBA player Jeremy Lin spoke about learning to manage his anxiety on The Daily Show, while pop singer Annie Sollange released her ‘Touch Somebody’ music video, which shed light on mental health issues. In total, over 300 celebrities and influencers supported MHAD including Kerry Washington, Rita Ora, Awkwafina, and Gemma Correll.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle came together to voice bipartisan support for Mental Health Action Day. President Biden wrote that his administration was “committed to eliminating barriers and ensuring everyone has the support they need to heal, recover, and thrive.” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, and Hillary Clinton were among the many former and current elected officials who emphasized the importance of mental health action.
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