Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health is Health…and happiness!

Join Beach Cities Health District to elevate mental health in our community!

Mental health matters. By focusing on mental well-being personally, socially and as a community, we can build resilience, deepen our connections and create a culture that values mental health.

View the May Mental Health Awareness Calendar (PDF)

Loneliness, a critical public health concern, affects our physical and mental health. It’s associated with heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. Loneliness has become so common — affecting at least half of all adults in the United States — that the U.S. Surgeon General considers it an urgent public health concern, worthy of a government advisory issued in May 2023. Surprisingly, you’re not alone — about 60% of U.S. adults feel lonely regularly. The 2023 Gallup Well-Being Index reported nearly 1 in 5 Beach Cities residents having little or no connection to other people.

Let’s address this national and local concern together. Developing social skills can reduce loneliness, benefiting both personal and professional relationships. Regardless of our starting point, we have the capacity to enhance our social skills over time.

Take action to combat loneliness and boost your mental health and happiness:

Practice a Positive Mindset: Building a positive outlook is more than just thinking happy thoughts, it’s about cultivating habits that support mental well-being. These skills help you to cope with life challenges and build a personal practice to support your mental health.
- Gratitude: Develop a practice of expressing kindness and appreciation.
- Resilience: Discover strategies to bounce back from challenges and manage stress.
- Purpose: Find meaning by identifying your values, passions, gifts and talents.
Build Social Connections
- Initiate Conversations: Push through any hesitation and be open to starting conversations with strangers. A simple smile or friendly greeting can go a long way. Kindness and empathy spark the release of feel-good oxytocin in the brain of everyone involved, including observers. Assume that people like you — they probably do!
  - What Brings You Joy
  - People Bingo
- Sense of Belonging: Cultivate a sense of belonging to increase resilience, better cope with difficult times and have supportive relationships. Volunteering, pursuing hobbies or contributing to a cause can create a feeling of belonging. Seek out clubs, classes or local gatherings related to your interests. Participating in shared activities can lead to new friendships, reduce stress, diminish feelings of loneliness and increase your well-being.
- Deepen Relationships: Actively listen when talking to friends or family. Show genuine interest in their lives and share your own experiences. Allowing others to show they care for us is as important as providing care for someone in need. Let’s create a culture of connection and understanding.
Transform Our Community: Transforming our community starts with changing the way we talk about mental health. By engaging individuals to become mental health advocates, fostering open community conversations, and pushing for policy changes, we can create a culture where mental well-being is prioritized.
- Mental Health Advocates: Engage our community members to advocate for mental well-being and support those who need help.
- Community Dialogues: Encourage community dialogue to elevate mental health and reduce stigma as a collective.
- Policy Changes: Prioritize policies that support mental health to create lasting change.

Remember, within our community, there are fellow seekers of connection. Keep reaching out and remember that meaningful bonds evolve gradually. Fulfilling relationships and social connection are key to happiness, health and longevity.

How to Boost Your Social Skills

Overcoming Loneliness for Better Well-Being

Could your thoughts be making you more lonely?