World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
World Mental Health Day is organized by the World Federation for Mental Health. This year’s Day is supported by WHO, (World Health Organization), the International Association for Suicide Prevention , and United for Global Mental Health.
“Just like good physical health, good mental health requires effort,” said Lisa Meikle.
Meikle and her husband are serving as Mental Health missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area.
“Unfortunately, when one’s body is pushed too hard, both physical and mental health is impacted,” said Meikle.
Three basic bodily requirements are needed to maintain good mental health. First, the brain needs adequate sleep. Second, good nutrition is essential. Third, adequate exercise is crucial.
Sadness and discouragements are common troubling feelings, but in some cases, they can lead to extreme reactions like suicidal thoughts.
“Every one of us has family members, dear friends, or acquaintances who have experienced suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, or have taken their lives,” says Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church in a video that is one of a series of hopeful videos recently added to suicide.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in an ongoing effort to help prevent suicide.
Elder Renlund encourages us to “reach out in love and caring for those who have suicidal thoughts, who have attempted suicide, who feel marginalized in any way. We need to reach out in love and understanding. And you do that in concert with health care professionals, with ecclesiastical leaders, with friends and family support.”
According to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a Suicide Prevention Office will be established as part of the New Zealand Government’s plan to “support people in distress” and help bring down New Zealand’s high suicide rate.
It will be established as part of the Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019-2029 and Action Plan 2019-2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more resources and information about suicide prevention visit this page from the World Health Organization and this article from NewsHub.