On Jan. 29, York University will mark its eighth annual Let’s Talk Day, an initiative that is part of York’s Mental Health Strategy developed to promote a more holistic and integrated approach to campus health.
Mental health challenges directly or indirectly affect all Canadians at some point whether through a family member, friend, colleague or oneself. In any given year, one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness. Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels and cultures. Just as we care for our physical health, so too we need to care for our mental health.
Numerous factors can affect mental health such as the stress of balancing school, work, health and relationships. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental health challenges is overcoming the stigma attached to it.
YU Let’s Talk helps to move forward the conversation towards reducing this stigma, while promoting awareness and understanding. Just like managing our physical health, many of us have strategies that we use to promote, protect and manage our mental health and well-being. Organizers of YU Let’s Talk want to hear your strategies for managing and protecting your mental health. What do you do to be mentally healthy? How do you care for your mental health? Take a minute to fill out one of the word bubbles in your work area, Tait MacKenzie, Wellness Hub or in the Red Zone.
By taking the first important step of starting conversations, we can foster a healthy, inclusive and supportive environment, one which promotes positive mental health and well-being among members of the York community.
Join others in the York University community on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and help keep the conversation going.
To learn more about York’s Mental Health Strategy and about activities in support of YU Let’s Talk day, visit the Mental Health website.