Mental Wellness: Redefining the Meaning of Health
April 4-10 is National Public Health Week.
Join American Public Health Association (APHA) and Healthy Acadia in celebrating the many public and private spheres working together to make individuals, families, communities, and our nation healthier, stronger, and more resilient. This year’s theme is, “Public Health is Where You Are.”
Each day this week, we are highlighting a community health program or sharing an inspiring story from a community member or partner that aligns with APHA’s theme of the day.
Where we live impacts our communities’ health, and each one of us has a role to play, for our own health, and the health of our community as a whole. Together we make health happen.
Mental Wellness: Redefining the Meaning of Health
Today’s theme focuses on the importance of mental health and wellbeing for overall health. Below are excerpts from American Public Health Association’s post around today’s health topic (you can read the full article here).
There is no single cause for mental illness, and certain childhood risk factors, including growing up in poverty or experiencing abuse, can be an indicator for mental illness later in life. Genetics, isolation and use of alcohol or drugs are other contributing factors as well. Unaddressed mental health challenges can have an impact on employment, housing stability, safety and a range of other issues. This underscores the urgency of access to better treatment and coping options for those most at risk. Prevention, early detection and treatment of mental health conditions can lead to improved physical and community health. Public health can incorporate mental and emotional health development and promotion into prevention strategies and activities. This can make health promotion more effective and protect people from other issues that have lasting physical and mental health impacts, such as community and interpersonal violence, tobacco use and homelessness.
The COVID-19 pandemic can affect mental health in many ways, including through loss of a loved one, isolation due to physical distancing mandates, exposure to the virus and loss of income. Given the past year’s strain, it’s not surprising that health care workers have a high risk of developing mental illness.
Strategies like being physically active, getting a full night’s sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, practicing gratitude, participating in activities you enjoy, developing coping skills, meditating and connecting with others can improve mental health. People who engage in physical activity have fewer days of poor mental health than people who do not exercise. Talking to a licensed therapist, joining a support group or 12-step program or considering medication under the supervision of a physician can all be beneficial.
Mental Health Means Supporting the Whole Self
Healthy Acadia offers programs and services that support improved mental health and emotional resilience, and empower community members of all ages to build and strengthen their mind and body. Some examples:
ASIST
Healthy Acadia partners with organizations across Hancock and Washington counties to offer Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an intensive, two-day, in-person training where people are taught how to skillfully intervene, assist someone in crisis, and help them stay safe. The ASIST training treats suicide as the public health issue that it is. ASIST training is comparable to CPR training – anyone in the community may be in a position to render CPR, and may have no other medical training, or they may be a doctor or a nurse. ASIST is similarly versatile. Any individual aged 16 and older, including teachers, students, doctors, mental health professionals, parents, and others, can become ASIST-trained.
“ ASIST training takes away the taboo to enable discussions about suicide, and teaches effective intervention techniques. For me, I have struggled with thoughts of suicide in the past, and one [thought] is just one too many, so if we can help make a more suicide-aware or safe community, it’s worth it!
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“Suicide prevention and intervention skills are extremely important for this community and means a lot within the Calais Skatepark community. We are happy to support this training and wish as many people as possible to attend.”
Healthy Acadia offers a variety of free and low-cost programming and services that enable and empower youth to be healthy, resilient, free from substance use, and connected to their peers and their community. Explore our Strong Beginnings, Substance Prevention and Recovery, and Healthy Food for All sections to learn more.
Tai Chi for Health
The ancient Chinese practice of tai chi is a martial art form that combines slow, deliberate movement sequences with breathing exercises. Regular tai practice has been proven to improve relaxation, flexibility, balance, concentration, cardiovascular health, and muscle strength, and can help to relieve pain and symptoms of chronic disease.
Since 2014, Healthy Acadia’s certified instructors have offered “Tai Chi for Health” classes in communities across Hancock and Washington counties, Maine. “Tai Chi for Health” offers proven health benefits and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, at all levels of physical ability. “Tai Chi for Health” is an evidence-based program developed by Dr. Paul Lam, founder of the Tai Chi for Health Institute. “Tai Chi for Health” classes combine gentle, rhythmic exercises with focused breathing techniques to promote movement control through the integration of both mind and body.
“My 93-year-old, Army Air Corps vet, Dad is so enjoying Tai Chi AND learning how to navigate this new distant technology (Thank you also for your patience and IT support). Thank you for offering this quality online program, that is safe and accessible, as we navigate life in our new reality.”
Thanks to generous community support, Healthy Acadia is able to offer several tai chi classes throughout the year free of charge to community members (donations are suggested).
Explore our Health Promotion and Management, Healthy Aging, and Healthy Food for All sections for information about this and other programs that support mental health and wellbeing by supporting the whole self.
Together we make health happen.
To make a donation, click here or send a check by mail to Healthy Acadia, PO Box 1710, Ellsworth, ME, 04605. Yes, our mailing address has changed!
Looking for new ways to give or get involved? Subscribe to our newsletter to learn when new opportunities arise, volunteer with one of our program areas, learn more about our programs and resources, join our Sunrise Monthly Giving Circle, include us in your will, make a gift to our endowment, or hold a fundraiser! For more ways to get involved today, give us a call at 207-667-7171. We love to hear from you!
*Check out all of our guiding values on our website at www.healthyacadia.org/mission.