Each Mind Matters is California’s Mental Health Movement. We are millions of individuals and thousands of organizations working to advance mental health. The mental health movement certainly didn’t start with us, but Each Mind Matters was created to unite all of us who share a vision of improved mental health and equality.
Even though most of the things we need to be mentally healthy are universal — like safe housing, supportive relationships, and good health care – a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health care just isn’t enough. We know that people from ethnic and cultural communities are, in general, less likely to receive necessary mental health services, and those who are in treatment often receive poorer-quality care. Other groups like veterans, LGBTQ communities, or people who live in rural areas may be at elevated risk, have less access to resources, or feel isolated. But there is reason for hope as well: new approaches to healing and supporting people in times of distress, as well as changing conversations about mental health, have been developed by California’s many ethnic and cultural communities. In addition, leaders from five of these groups outlined by the California Reducing Disparities Project have created resources to help change attitudes and improve mental health outcomes in a way that is meaningful to each community.
This week (October 4th to the 10th) is Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual event when people across the nation will come together to spread awareness about the importance of mental health and to speak out against the stigma around mental illness. Let’s raise our voices in unison so that we reduce stigma around mental health and reinforce that no one is alone in this experience and it’s okay to seek support. The Each Mind Matters toolkit is filled with ideas and activities to get you going. From an easy-to-do ribbon wall activity or a social media guide filled with content to use on your social channels, this toolkit will give you Mental Health Awareness Week resources at your fingertips.
For more information, visit EachMindMatters.org.