First National ‘Mental Health Action Day’ to Drive People to Take a First Mental Health Action for Themselves or Others
More than a year into COVID-19 and amidst a most dire mental health crisis Waterspirit and more than 900 organizations team up to plan inaugural ‘Mental Health Action Day’ on May 20
Rumson, New Jersey –Waterspirit today announces its participation in the first-ever Mental Health Action Day, to be held on Thursday, May 20 in partnership with more than 700 leading brands, nonprofits, government agencies and cultural leaders.
Over the past two decades, suicide rates have risen, particularly among young adults. “From Covid-19 to economic struggles and the continuing fight for racial justice, the other half of the twin pandemic is the rise of our mental health challenges,” said Erika Soto Lamb, Vice President of Social Impact Strategy at MTV Entertainment Group. “This is a critical moment to shift our culture from mental health awareness to mental health action and MTV is proud to come together with diverse cross-sector leaders on this inaugural day to encourage and empower people to take action -- for themselves, for their loved ones or for the systemic changes needed to improve our social and emotional wellbeing.”
Waterspirit will showcase its FREE weekly program called Meditation for Earth, which moved online at the onset of COVID19. There are 55 videos, 35 minutes each, recorded on the nonprofit’s YouTube channel for people to access at no cost. Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, shared, “Spiritual ecology helps individuals deepen their awareness of the interconnectedness of all Creation. Meditation for Earth is a practice that reminds us that when we heal ourselves, we heal our communities.”
Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of brands, organizations and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action. Mental Health Action Day is being planned in partnership with TaskForce, a cultural organizing agency that builds capacity for those taking on the most pressing challenges facing our communities, our nation and our world. Additional participants and more information about how each partner will activate on May 20 will be forthcoming. www.MentalHealthActionDay.org A full list of partners is available here.
Waterspirit is a nonprofit center for spiritual ecology, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Founded in 1998, Waterspirit is currently headquartered on occupied Lenni Lenape land in Rumson, New Jersey. Through programs, learning, reflection, and ritual, we help connect to meaningful actions on behalf of water.