May 13, 2021 - This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. There are many tools that can help to improve mental health. One tool that we have chosen to focus on this May, Mental Health Month, is spreading happiness, because “Happiness increase when shared with others”.

Throughout the pandemic, many people who had never experienced mental health challenges found themselves struggling for the first time. To help overcome some of the negative emotions that have become so prevalent this past year, we asked our community to share images of things that make them happy along with one sentence to describe the thing that brings them joy. We are sharing these images and quotes on our social media pages and in the windows of our 40 Broadway office as a way to spread happiness within our community. It’s encouraging to see what brings joy to those who surround us. Images of pets, (especially dogs), family, skateboarding, baking, birds, hiking, exploring, puzzles, sunshine, and grandchildren were sent in with quotes that demonstrated how important these things were in enhancing mental wellness. It is important to remember that happiness means many things to many people and for some, it is not something that comes easily.

Ultimately, during this month of May, we want to remind everyone that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. If you struggle to find something that brings you joy, or are struggling with other mental health concerns, it is important to reach out and get help. Working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through stressors and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis. A great starting point for anyone who is ready to start prioritizing their mental health is to take a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and confidential way for someone to assess their mental health and begin finding hope and healing.