Spread the word that mental health is important for all of us and that it is okay to seek help when you need it. Connect with friends, family and other people to engage in a conversation about the importance of mental health and the importance of ending the stigma.

We all have mental health, and it is important for us to take care of ourselves. Self-care is the practice of taking care of oneself. It may take purposeful effort, but it can help with maintaining or improving your daily mental well-being.

It is important to note that self-care is not a selfish act and doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. It can be whatever you make it and is an intentional way to care for yourself. There are many different forms of self-care, and it is important for you to find out what works best for you. Below are a few different forms of selfcare, according to the Mental Health Coalition:

▪ Physical: Addresses stress that lives in your body. It alleviates physical pain or tension that either causes or results from mental stress. This can include fitness, dance, aromatherapy, rest, yoga, sports, sitting outside in the sunshine and getting fresh air, etc.

▪ Emotional: Involves tending to your own internal emotional world – especially your mood and feelings. This can include connecting with others, psychotherapy, journaling or creative writing, art, etc.

▪ Cognitive: Engages in activities that are intellectually rewarding and/or stimulating. This can include reading, writing, listening to books or podcasts, watching films, psychotherapy.

▪ Spiritual: This can take many different forms and does not have to be tied to formal religion. It means getting in touch with the less tangible aspects of yourself and the world around you. This can include meditation, deep-breathing, connecting with a spiritual or religious community, mantras, etc.

To better take care of yourself, identify a few different forms of self-care that you would like to try or have tried and liked, schedule a time to engage in and enjoy these forms of self-care, and continue regularly until it becomes a part of your daily life.

• This week in Duluth Public Schools students will be learning about self care and coping skills and how they can be valuable for our mental health.

• In pre-k through 8th grade all students are taught social emotional learning skills in their schools through a curriculum called Second Step. "Social and emotional learning is an integral part of education and human development and is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and making responsible and caring decisions." (CASEL)

Callie DeVriendt, MSW, LICSW

District Mental Health & Social, Emotional Behavioral Multi-Tiered System of Supports Coordinator

callie.devriendt@isd709.org

(Image attribution for the mental health day ribbon background is by jcomp on Freepik)