Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week offers the opportunity to raise awareness and compassion for those living with mental health issues. Current global challenges are escalating among those suffering from anxiety and depression, particularly among youth and marginalized communities.
It is crucial then, now more than ever, to foster resilient citizens by providing positive role models. Our featured heroes contribute to the well-being of others through their triumphs in the face of mental illness, as well as through research, a commitment to education and advocacy, and personal connection.
Film Festival winners that promote mental health and wellness
In this short, award-winning film, Coach West helps navigate you through the emotional fallout of COVID-19 with helpful tips.
Other great films in the theme of mental health and wellness
Jeni Stepanek, mother of poet Mattie Stepanek, who died at the age of 13 from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a condition similar to muscular dystrophy. She shares his message of peace, hope and life as she accepts the 2016 Humanitarian Award.
Eric weighed 340 pounds and his doctor told him he had 5 years to live. Then he met Peety—and everything changed.
Liz Murray overcomes her difficult childhood to win a scholarship to go to college.
Watch these award-winning, inspiring films from the MY HERO 2021 International Film Festival exploring overcoming adversity
Stories
These heroes help destigmatize mental illness by sharing their own struggles. They help show those struggling in the shadows that they are not alone.
is a champion for children who bear the invisible scars of tough childhoods
The founder of Life Without Limbs overcame depression, isolation and bullying by creating position change in the world.
Misty Copeland is the first ever African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. Growing up, she struggled with frequent anxiety and panic attacks, feeling out of place in her surroundings.
"I'm nowhere near my limit. I just want to see if there are such things as limits. I want to go and find out."
Art has been a tool for therapy, for change and for self-expression.
'Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away' is one of Kusama's largest instillations. Kusama grew up in a traditional and conservative part of Japan. Her success as an artist came mostly from her own drive and confidence in her talent.
Kusama continuously explores patterns and repetitions in her work. Throughout her extraordinary career, Kusama has been open about her mental health. She says that art has allowed her to express and explore her mental health issues. In "Pumpkins" Kusama explores her obsessive cumpulsive disorder.
Find a list of organizations dedicated to helping those struggling with mental health issues
Get informed! Check out NAMI's information on mental health policies in the US.
https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Take-Action-on-Advocacy-Issues/Vote4MentalHealth/Learn-the-Issues
Related Pages
Mental Health America
Founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers, Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.
Mind Up
An organization offering curriculum that creates long-term impact by teaching about the emotional center of the brain. Each of their lessons has a direct neurological correlate to strengthen students’ ability to regulate emotions, focus attention and build empathy.
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Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
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Audio curated by MY HERO Audio director Stu Pearlman. |
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Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editors Deborah Neff and Abigail Richardson. |
Organizer created on 9/26/2017 10:36:32 PM by Jeanne Meyers
Last edited 10/1/2024 5:18:24 AM by Abigail Richardson
