Mental Health & Wellness Committee
By Sharon Levan, Diane Donaher, David Weiskotten
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! The District 7430 Mental Health & Wellness Committee recognizes the work of the West Reading/Wyomissing Mental Health Initiative!
The West Reading/Wyomissing Rotary Club has taken an important step by establishing a Mental Health Committee. We are sharing the steps we’ve taken to get this initiative off the ground, in case it may benefit other clubs considering a similar effort.
Steps Our Club Has Taken (And YOUR Club can too!)
1. Identifying Leadership and Members:
We began by seeking a volunteer to lead the committee and opened it up to interested club members willing to serve on it.
2. Initial Planning Meeting:
Once we formed the group, we held a planning meeting to brainstorm what members wanted the committee to achieve.
3. Compiling and Refining Ideas:
The gathered ideas were reviewed and discussed during the next meeting, leading to the creation of three primary objectives:
- Education: Raise awareness about the importance of mental health wellness among Rotarians and the broader community through our website and social media.
- Ending Stigma: Foster greater understanding of mental health conditions and work to reduce the stigma surrounding them.
- Encouragement: Inspire and empower fellow Rotarians and community members to pursue their own paths to mental health wellness.
Committee Initiatives:
Currently, we are focused on two key projects:
Including a mental health message in our meeting agenda to keep the topic front and center.
Hosting quarterly guest speakers to discuss different aspects of mental health.
We understand that our goals may evolve over time as the needs of our community and members change, but these initiatives provide us with a strong foundation for now.
We hope sharing our experiences inspires other Rotary Clubs to start similar initiatives and prioritize mental health within their communities. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Please check out the attached ideas for your club to consider for May meetings to recognize Mental Health Awareness month. (Click READ MORE)
Mental Health & Wellness Ideas for
“Mental Health Awareness Month”
- CBS This Morning Segment – A great segment to for your club to watch as a meeting.
How a college student is helping Stop the Stigma
6 minutes and 37 seconds
- Consider introducing Aevidum to your local school district – after learning more, meet with high school counselors to determine interest.
Provide funding (sponsor) for curriculum, training and student events
- Purchase Green Ribbons for Member to wear during the month of May. Order now; takes about a week to receive
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMP76GJW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
- Practice P-R-E – an activity you can do at the start of a Rotary Club Meeting. (Mindfully prepare for the meeting)
It is brief, simple and easy to do. Anyone can do it, and you can do it almost anywhere. Three to four minutes is all it takes. Remembering to do it is the hard part. So set a chime on your phone to remind you or do it at transition times during the day. Connect it to things you do every day. Three to five times a day is best, especially in the beginning, until it becomes a new habit.
- (15-30 sec)
Gently close your eyes if you are able.
Take two deep cleansing breaths, with a long, slow exhale.
On the exhale allow your shoulders droop and your body to settle into the seat.
Bring your awareness to how you are feeling physically – what sensations do you notice in your body? (30 sec)
And emotionally – do you feel anxious, tense, relaxed, at ease? (30 sec)
What comes up physically or emotionally when you reflect on what you were just doing? Do you feel pulled to resume what you were doing? (30-60 sec)
What comes up physically or emotionally when you reflect on what you are about to do? (30-60 sec)
- (30-60 sec)
Set an intention – what are you doing next, and how do you intend for it to go?
Engage or re-engage in what you are doing next.