Mental Health
Many studies have shown that social connection and social support are factors that protect and promote good health. Being social isn’t just fun for us, it actually makes us healthier! However, during COVID, it has been difficult to see friends and family due to social distancing, as we must keep within our homes whenever possible. This has taken a drastic negative affect in our society as we are not able to socialize in person. Social isolation can cause mental health to decline, issues with productivity and mood swings. Staying at home shouldn’t mean that our social lives are over, it just means we have to find new ways to interact with our loved ones
This year, CMHA Mental Health week is being observed over May 4th-10th. Every year since 1951, CMHA has hosted Mental Health Week during the first week of May, making 2020 the 69th year. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week is social connection. We at Incepta encourage everyone at home to try to maintain their social connections even from afar. Here are some ideas you can try out from home:
- Spend more time with your family. It could be as simple as eating dinner together every night or something more fun such as board game nights. If you live with your family, they can be a great group to socialize with as you are all together
- If you live on your own, connect virtually with your friends. There are apps like Netflix Party which allow you and your friends to sync up a movie and chat together while watching it. Many online puzzles, video games and drawing apps are also available for creative minds
- Set up video chat dates with your loved ones. You can have one-on-one calls through apps like Facetime and Skype to catch up with close friends or set up group calls through zoom. That way everyone can hang out even safely from their respective homes!
There are many ways to stay connected during these isolated times, and we have to do our best to prioritize our mental health as well as the wellbeing of our loved ones. Our society wouldn’t exist without our social connections and care for our family and friends.
The Government of Canada is also offering additional mental health support to all Canadians through a new online portal called Wellness Together Canada. Check out the free tools, resources and professional services on mental health.
