Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May each year, is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting a greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. It encourages conversations about mental health, empowers individuals to seek help when needed, and promotes a culture of compassion, support, and inclusivity for all. Here is why Mental Health Awareness Month is so important:
- It helps to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness by fostering open conversations and increasing understanding about mental health conditions. This encourages individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination.
- It encourages individuals to prioritize their mental health, seek support when needed, and engage in activities that promote resilience and coping skills.
- It provides an opportunity to highlight available resources and support services for those struggling with mental health issues.
- It serves as a platform for advocacy and policy change, aiming to improve access to mental health care, increase funding for mental health services, and promote legislation protecting the rights of individuals with mental illness.
- It empowers individuals to speak up about their experiences with mental illness, share their stories, and advocate for their own needs.
- It educates the public about the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment options for various mental health conditions. This helps to dispel myths and misconceptions and encourages early intervention and support.
- It provides validation and support for individuals living with mental illness, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers. It reminds them that they are not alone and that help is available.
Reflecting on what Mental Health Awareness Month means to me, I think back to June 2015. This was five years after my last drink of alcohol, when I adopted the most wonderful dog of all time, Kylie (OK, I’m a bit biased). I had wanted to rescue a dog for as long as I could remember and felt ready to take on the responsibility as I was progressing and growing within my sobriety. Kylie is an adorable little mutt from an organization called RezDawg Rescue. She was about six months old when they found her on a reservation in New Mexico. She was dehydrated, malnourished, and weighed only 10 lbs. I thought I was getting a miniature black lab, but as she grew, her breed became more of an enigma. Six months later, she weighed close to 40 lbs., with ears that stuck straight up. After one of those at-home DNA tests, I found out that she’s a mix of the following:
Regardless of what the DNA results said, Kylie was 100% perfection to me. After she came into my life, my mental health changed in ways I could never imagine. Kylie is my antithesis. I’m innately fearful, skeptical, and riddled with anxiety. Kylie is happy, lovable, energetic, upbeat, charming, adorable, and curious. Watching Kylie find her place in the world has taught me so much about myself and the simple tools to live a happier life. Kylie has shown me countless ways to improve my mental health. She lives in the moment, doesn’t take other dogs’ behavior personally, enjoys simple things like treats and tennis balls, and naps when feeling run down. Kylie has shown me that there is a silver lining to all things. There’s always an opportunity to see the positive. Even going to the vet is fun for her. The vet always gives her cookies.
Overall, pets (whether it’s a dog, cat, bird, or other companion animal) offer numerous benefits for our mental health:
- Pets provide companionship and emotional support, which can help alleviate loneliness and isolation. Having a pet can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by providing a constant source of unconditional love and affection.
- Interacting with pets has shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and reduce blood pressure and your heart rate. Simply petting or cuddling with a dog or cat can promote relaxation and calmness, making it an effective stress-relief strategy.
- Pets thrive on routine, and caring for them can help establish structure in our daily lives. Responsibilities such as feeding and exercising a pet can provide a sense of purpose and achievement, particularly for those struggling with mental health issues.
- Dogs, in particular, require regular exercise, encouraging their owners to engage in physical activity. Taking a dog for a walk or playing with them in the backyard promotes regular exercise, which is known to have numerous mental health benefits, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Pets can serve as social catalysts, facilitating interactions with others and fostering a sense of community. Walking a dog in the neighborhood, visiting dog parks, or attending pet-related events can provide opportunities for socialization and connection with others who share a love for animals.
- Animals live in the present and are not concerned with the past or future, which can help their owners focus on the here and now, reducing rumination and worry.
- Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance, regardless of our flaws or struggles. They provide a nonjudgmental presence that boosts self-esteem, promotes worthiness, and creates a sense of emotional security.
The bond between humans and pets is powerful and has countless mental health benefits. Pets can enhance our overall well-being and contribute to a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment. Do you agree? Tell us about your pet in the comment section below.
Lisa Andersson
Director of Development & Communications
Aww what a wonderful blog post, Lisa! I so enjoyed learning more about Kylie and Poppy! Pets are such blessings, as are the wonderful ways that they can support with mental health! Happy Mental Health Awareness Month everyone! 🙂
Hi, and thank you for this wonderful reminder about how much therapy we can receive from a dog. Mine is a rescue dog who is 41% Pekingese, 19% Shih Tzu, 11% Chihuahua, 4% Lhasa Apso, 4% Toy Puddle, 4% Chow Chow, 3% Pomeranian, 4% Beagle, then 2% or 1% of five others. How is that for a mutt?
I had Poppy pegged as a Pomeranian, but now I realize they are smaller. Poppy (named after the flower) should weigh 20 lbs., but she was just weighed at the vet and has gained 4 lbs. this year, so there is a lot of cutting back on treats for her!! I live in Sr. Apts. and she gets treats from others as well – not to mention Dan Jensen, my son, who some of you at least should know. He moved back to Minnesota when I sold my house a block up from the lake and moved into a senior building just up the same street a few blocks, and Dan lives in an apartment next door to mine, just a stone’s throw away. So, Poppy has two parents, but I do all the walking. White Bear Lake is lovely, with sailboats and a path for dog walkers and other walkers, plus bike riders. We even have a dog beach; however, Poppy hates water. She has an undercoat that she sheds in the spring. I could make a nice-sized pillow from all that she sheds. Peking must be very cold – even colder than Minnesota. But now I know that Pekingese were the emperor’s guard dogs. Poppy is aware of everything and everyone around her – very curious and, yes, a guard dog. She hated the mailman when I had my house and barks to let me know someone other than Dan, who walks right in, is here. She knows where every potential treat will come from – both here and at my former neighbors.
You gave me a nice opportunity to sing Poppy’s praises. We’re both old. I got her when my spouse died 12 years ago. At that time, he was almost blind, and we couldn’t have a dog since we might easily trip over one, although we used to have dogs. We even brought one back with us from South Dakota, where we were living on Indian Reservations.
Anyway, thanks for asking about pets. I’ll try to kick in a little more for Karis. I have a monthly gift that I think I raised from $45 to $50 this year. Sorry I can’t give more, but Dan’s sister contributes probably at a higher level. Karis was a lifesaver for Dan, and it was such a treat to have EJ visit us here. His wife has a relative who lives in a city not far away. Incidentally, Poppy can tell time. Speaking of routine, she always comes to let me know it’s close to 4:00 when we leave for a very long walk. She is 12, and I just had my 21st (leap year birthday). We’re two old girls who are still kicking.
All the best to everyone at Karis.
Lura Jensen
Thank you for sharing about your dog, Lura! And thank you for being a supporter of Karis! We truly appreciate you.