Awareness

What is Sleep Awareness Week? Sleep Awareness Week was launched in 1998 and is the National Sleep Foundation’s public education campaign with the aim to spread awareness about the importance of sleep as it relates to physical and mental health. This year, Sleep Awareness week will fall on Sunday, March 13th through Saturday, March 19th. Prepare your pillows and blankets! The Importance of Sleep. Many of us don’t recognize the importance of sleep until we discover the difficulties we face when we are sleep deprived. We may not acquire enough sleep due to staying up late cramming for an exam, staying up late to finish work, or struggling with sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Lack of sleep tampers with our mood, memory, and health in very impactful ways. In terms of mood and mental health, studies have discovered that lack of sleep induces heightened levels of anxiety …

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Celebrating All Women. March is Women’s History Month, an annual celebration of contributions countless women have made throughout history in the United States. Women’s History Month originated from a weeklong celebration organized by school districts in Sonoma, California in the late 1970’s. International Women’s Day is also observed in March, occurring earlier in the month on March 8th.  Sexism and Discrimination. It is imperative to recognize the ways in which systemic sexism impacts women’s daily experiences. As of February 2022, nearly two million fewer women were in the US workforce than in early 2020, with notably higher rates of unemployment among women of color and women with disabilities (National Women’s Law Center, 2022). Fourty two percent of women have faced gender discrimination at work (Pew Research Center, 2020). One in four US women have experienced severe physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by a partner (CDC, 2021). Eighty one percent …

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What is Self-Harm Awareness Month? Self-Harm Awareness Month spans the month of March with the purpose of spreading awareness, breaking the stigma, and providing support and hope to those who have or currently self-harm. Self-Harm Awareness month is observed in the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe.  What is self-harm? Self-harm is also known as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Self-harm describes the act of purposely harming oneself; this act is often done by burning, cutting, pulling out hair, or picking at wounds to prevent healing. Self-harm indicates emotional distress and can lead to injury as severe as broken bones (NAMI, 2021). Self-harm urges a need for healthier coping skills for emotional distress, and though it isn’t a mental illness in and of itself, self-harm is often associated with mental illness such as depression, trauma-related disorders, and borderline personality disorder (NAMI, 2021). It is also imporant to note that self-harm …

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An estimated 6.8 million Black/African Americans reportedly live with mental illness. Spread awareness as you Celebrate Black History Month.

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