The KWL Team

On World Mental Health Day, we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge that mental health can and does affect anyone, on any day of the year. If you’re struggling, please reach out and seek help. The stigma surrounding mental health prevents us from reaching out when most needed, which is why it is so important to start and keep these conversations going.

While many of us work to keep ourselves physically well and look after our bodies, it’s easy to neglect our mental health. This is a gentle reminder today and every day, to be kind to yourselves and take care of you. We’ve pulled together some of the strategies we use to keep ourselves well below—let us know what you do in the comments!

• Get outside! Especially for those of us in offices or doing a lot of writing, getting even a few minutes of fresh air every day can be so rejuvenating. It can even inspire new characters and storylines.
• Listen to some music. Music is powerful. It has the ability to change moods, whether you’re looking for some rejuvenation or just to relax. Take a break from your writing, turn off the computer, put in your headphones, and take a moment to listen to your favourite song. You’ll feel better for it.
• Find your tribe of positive people who are going to support you. Life is too short for drama—surround yourself with people you know you can rely on, and be a good friend to them as well.
• Take some time to relax and recharge and do something for yourself each day. It could be as simple as setting time aside for reading before bed or practicing yoga and meditation.
• Cooking or baking: making something nutritious or some kind of treat can help fuel your creativity and generally make you feel like you’re taking care of yourself.
• Exercise! Endorphins can do wonders to boost your energy and make you feel rejuvenated and exhilarated.
• Set goals and celebrate your wins (big ones and smaller ones). It can be so easy to feel like you’re on a conveyor belt and lose perspective of the progress you’re making. What have you accomplished this month? This year? Pause and express gratitude to yourself for the hard work it took to get to today.

English-language Resources

This list is not intended to replace the help of a medical professional who is best equipped to determine what type of care you may need. We encourage you to take the extra step to reach out to a professional if mental health is something you currently struggle with.

It’s okay not to be okay.

Canada: https://toronto.cmha.ca/mental-health-2/find-help/mental-health-resources/

Australia: https://www.sane.org/get-help

New Zealand: https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/

USA: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help

UK: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/dealing-with-a-mental-health-crisis-or-emergency/

Ireland: https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/mh-services/#