Beyond #BellLetsTalk
#BellLetsTalk is an excellent tool for starting conversations around mental health, to reduce stigma, encourage folks to check in on each other, and seek support themselves. This is an important start, yet true and sustained social progress on mental health will also involve tackling the root causes of poor mental health in the first place.
There are many actions you can take, year-long, in order to support mental wellness in your communities. Here are just a few.
1. Be curious.
Conversations about mental health can be difficult, especially if we feel like we don’t know enough about it.
Luckily, there are many great resources available through the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Centre for Suicide Prevention, and Movember, to name a few. Learning how to support others through mental health challenges and how to care for your own mental health will result in stronger, more caring communities.
Exploring mental health interventions often leads us to a curiosity around prevention as well— preventing mental health struggles before they even happen. We know that one of the positive effects of challenging and changing rigid gender norms is improving the mental health of communities—including the mental health of boys and men. Next Gen Men is committed to redefining and undefining what it means to ‘be a man’—it’s the very core of our mission. If this work inspires you as well, consider supporting us!
2. Be empathetic.
Holding space for others is so valuable.
When others bring up mental health struggles, try not to jump straight to problem-solving mode, and simply listen. Hearing ‘I'm so sorry this is happening to you. How can I help?’ lets others know that you are listening to understand, and that you support them.
More broadly however, being curious and learning more about the intersections between systemic oppression and mental health often naturally leads to increasing empathy. For example, when the links between gender, race, ability, capitalism, and mental health become clearer, it becomes increasingly difficult to chalk up social realities such as homelessness to ‘individual irresponsibility,’ and the case for strong social safety nets may feel more compelling.
Empathy is a great driver for change.
3. Be courageous.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Realizing that you may need support for your own mental health demands introspection, honesty and courage— but it’s essential that you care for yourself in order to care for others. Know that you are worthy of support, and try not to minimize your own experiences.
In many areas across the country you can call 211 to learn about supports near you, and there are many local distress lines for immediate 24-hour support.
Looking to draw some courage from the stories of others? Check out Movember, Heads Up Guys, Still Here Project and Man UP Against Suicide.
We also regularly discuss mental health at our NGM Circle events across the country, and we would love to see you there! Check out our Eventbrite or follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop.
We’re all in this together.
4. Be Equitable.
Advocate for system change.
Does your workplace have a supportive policy around mental health? What about policies that support work-life balance? Does your company’s extended health benefits package include access to mental health services? If not, perhaps it’s time they did, especially if they outwardly support initiatives such as #BellLetsTalk.
At a higher level, there are mental health supports available across the country through our health care system, as well as through private practitioners, yet they are not equally available to all Canadians. If you believe that mental health supports should be more accessible, affordable, and sustainable, consider getting in touch with your MLA, or a local non-profit doing advocacy work in this area.
Huge kudos to German for inspiring these thoughts today— we can all move this conversation from recognizing only the problem, to recognizing its solutions.
— Veronika