Positive mental health challenge week

 Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place during the first full week of October every year. It's a week that is dedicated for mental health advocates and organizations to promote community outreach and provide education around a variety of different mental illnesses. In addition, it's an opportunity to further provide resources and support to those who need it. 

This year, Mental Illness Awareness Week will be extremely important. 2020 has definitely been a crazy year. COVID-19 has created new challenges for people everywhere. A lot of people have been struggling with their mental health this year. Statistics show that 52% of Canadians indicated new or worse mental illness since the start of the pandemic. The global pandemic has brought about financial, social, and health issues that all contribute to poorer mental health.

In light of Mental Illness Awareness Week, I wanted to share some self-care tips that might encourage others to partake in self-care. I think it would be a cool idea to do a “Positive mental health challenge week” to participate in Mental Illness Awareness Week. Personally, this week I’m going to try and complete each of these challenges. I’m also going to go visit my dog and take him for a 5km walk to practice self-care!

Here are some ideas for a successful self-care week:

Monday - Zzzz

Go to sleep 30 minutes earlier than normal. 

Tuesday - Move

Go for a 30-minute walk.

Wednesday - Treat ya Self 

Buy yourself an ice cream or a special treat.

Thursday - Pamper yourself 

Take a bath, light some candles, do a DIY face mask.

Friday - Break Time 

Turn your phone off, and do some colouring. 

Saturday - Get Social 

Schedule a video call with an old friend.

Feel free to switch things around or substitute different activities for some of your favourite self-care routines. It's extremely important to take care of yourself, especially in challenging situations. So why not partake in Mental Illness Awareness Week by participating in simple challenges like this?

If you are interested in learning more about the different mental health supports offered at Ontario Tech, check out Student Life’s Student Mental Health Services.