By Anna Marie Graham. Pubished on Saturday, October 9, 2021
What is World Mental Health Day?
On October 10, 2021, we recognize World Mental Health Day. According to the World Health Organization, "the overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health".
World Mental Health Day is…
- about raising awareness about mental health and mental health issues around the world.
- about being aware that many, many people in the world have mental health challenges. You are not the only person. You are not alone
- learning that it’s okay to feel anxious, to feel afraid, to have terrible thoughts, or to feel depressed.
- about learning to reach out and tell someone how you are feeling.
- about giving ourselves and others permission to say: “I’m not doing well” or “I need help” or “I’m not sure I want to go on living”.
- about responding in love and kindness and practical help, when someone says something like the above statements.
Let’s Reach Out
Let’s reach out to each other and remind each other – "You are not alone! I am here and Jesus is here with you."
Ask for help. And give each other help. And call for help when you can’t do it yourself.
3 Articles + A Library
Here are 3 articles about mental health, accessed through the MORE Network Resource Library, especially for Cross-Cultural Workers & Third Culture Kids (TCKs).
10 Keys to your Kids’ Emotional Health | Spark What Matters
Ministry Work Life Balance | Christian Ministry Academy
Depression and the Third Culture Kid | Marilyn R. Gardner
You can find more articles about mental health (and other topics!) by visiting the MORE Network Resource Library.
Anna Marie is a Missionary & Clinical Counsellor with the MORE Network. She has been married to Doug for 40+ years, has 2 children and several grandchildren and lives in Vancouver, BC. She has provided counselling and Member Care in Asia for 12 years in several locations. Her passion is to help missionaries and their families through grief, pain and loss while in various stages of transition. She understands just how difficult it can be transitioning in and out of cross-cultural ministry. She holds a nursing degree (BScN) and counselling degrees (Master of Arts in Counseling) and is recognized as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor.
