Celebrate Women’s History Month by Prioritizing Your Mental Health

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we want to take time to celebrate the diverse, brilliant women across this nation who keep everything going at home and work, within community organizations and faith institutions, and in every aspect of life. We celebrate the women from our history who have helped to shape us as individuals and as a nation. We hope this note speaks in a positive way to every woman who reads or is served by this message.

During this month, celebrate the women in your life and ask them to prioritize their own mental health. Acknowledge and support women at whatever age or stage they are in life. Check on the women in your life to make sure they are doing okay. Let them know that it is okay to not always be okay. Make sure they know that they have a safe place to go if they are struggling with their mental health and offer your help in connecting them to a behavioral health professional. If you are a woman, consider taking the time to celebrate your own accomplishments and do a mental health self-care check-up this month. If you find that you need additional help, reach out to your physician or a behavioral health provider. SAMHSA offers a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator that can help you identify providers in your area.

Women are often the caregivers to their families and friends, yet often overlook giving themselves the care they need. Mental health is essential to well-being and women must prioritize their own mental health to ensure that they remain healthy. Being mentally healthy has an impact on the legacies and history of women. Ensure the women in your life have the tools to be mentally and physically healthy starting with these tips below.

• Take time for yourself to do something you want or nothing at all
• Get a good night’s rest every night, 7-9 hours per night is recommended for adults
• Participate in regular exercise, 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity is recommended for adults
• Get outside and get some sunshine whenever possible
• Try relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, or prayer
• Tell a trusted family member or friend if you are struggling with your mental health
• Consider talking to a mental health professional
• If you or someone you know is in a crisis please use the resource provided below for help
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Ayuda en español: 1-888-628-9454
• If you know someone who needs immediate crisis counseling related to disasters
  • Disaster Distress Helpline
  • 1-800-985-5990
• For free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental health and/or substance use disorders in English and Spanish, 24/7
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline
  • 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

For more resources about mental health, visit Store.SAMHSA.gov