Hi team,
On behalf of the eHealth Technologies executive leadership team and the DEI Committee, I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month. Also known as Mental Health Month, the goal of this observance is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses.
Here are some ways you can observe Mental Health Awareness Month:
- Take care of yourself.
Life has numerous ups and downs. Some are easily solvable, but others take a bit more effort. When you need to, seek the right treatment, and make yourself better because life has much more to offer than just pain and suffering.
- Take care of your loved ones.
Check on your friends and family. Many times, all people need is a shoulder to cry on and/or an ear to listen. Support and encourage them if they are being treated for any mental problems.
- Talk about mental health.
One of the best ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month is by talking about it with your peers. The more you talk about it, the more normalized it will become. This is one of the aims of the month as the stigma attached to mental health has led to countless delays in treatment AND research on the matter.
eHealth Technologies has a “Mental Health Awareness and Support” section on the employee website, filled with awareness and support resources, stress relief exercises, and more – click here to check it out. (Password: eHealth@home)
Additional resource links:
Mental Health Awareness Toolkit
Mindfulness Relaxation Toolkit
If you find you need additional support, and/or have questions in general about mental health, talk to your HR representative and they will guide you in the right direction to help you get the support you need.
I’d like to thank our DEI Committee for sharing the following summary of observances for the month of May. Do you celebrate any of these observances? If so, we’d love to hear more about why they are important to you. Feel free to share your memories and photos and we may include them in the next employee newsletter – send an email to BrilliantIdeas@ehealthtechnologies.com.
ALS Awareness Month, which occurs every May, is a time where numerous organizations and communities get together to spread awareness regarding the disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month celebrated in May every year. It is a great time to celebrate the vibrant culture, distinct art, delectable cuisine, and to get to know people of Haitian origin.
Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture.
Older Americans Month was established in 1963 to honor the legacies and contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter their next stage of life.
May 1: May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861 – 1867). This day celebrates Mexican culture and heritage with a variety of festivities, including parades and mariachi music performances.
May 5: Vesak (Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanti) is a Buddhist festival that marks Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. It falls on the day of the Full Moon in April or May and is a holiday in India.
May 8 (sundown) to May 9 (sundown): Lag BaOmer is a Jewish holiday marking the day of hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is a global celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversities.
May 19: Malcolm X Day is a holiday celebrated either on May 19, Malcolm X’s birthday, or the third Friday in May, to commemorate the Civil Rights leader.
May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a day set aside by the United Nations as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together in harmony.
May 25 (sundown) to May 27 (sundown): Shavuot is a Jewish holiday with double significance. It marks the wheat harvest in Israel and commemorates the anniversary of the day when the Jews received the Torah at Mount Sinai.
May 29: Memorial Day: Celebrated in the United States, Memorial Day is a federal holiday established to honor military veterans who died in wars fought by U.S. forces.