GYGO: Get Your Green on 2020!
May is Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Care Awareness Month
Get Your Green On is a campaign in honor of Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Care Awareness Month. Green is the national color for mental health awareness. The campaign aims to raise awareness by creating visible support and fostering safe spaces to talk openly about behavioral health and trauma.
Everyone in Palm Beach County is encouraged to wear green on May 21st and post pictures on social media (#GetYourGreenOn and #GYGO2020) to show their support for mental health awareness and trauma-informed care. In addition, cities all over the county will be presenting proclamations at Commission meetings and hosting events throughout May proclaiming the importance of taking care of mental health in their communities.
May 6th at 8:00am Delray Morning Live – host a watch party to hear Healthier Delray Beach talk about tips for caring for your mental health
May 19th at 9am Mix & Mingle – behavioral health professionals across the county are invited to wear green, honor their mental health and network with other professionals
Every day in May Social Media Challenge – “I feel calm when I …” – share your thoughts on your social media platforms and tag 3 friends/co-workers/neighbors to share next
There will be many more virtual events occurring during the month of May. Follow on Facebook for most up to date posting of events.
What is the story of the Get Your Green On campaign?
Beginning in May 2016 – Healthier Delray Beach and students at Atlantic High School wanted to encourage the community to give attention to their mental health and wellness. Everyone was encouraged to wear green and post pictures on social media.
In 2017, 2018 and 2019:
Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures (an alliance of Palm Beach County community providers) partnered with Healthier Delray Beach to take the campaign countywide.
More than 100 providers, government agencies, schools, media outlets and businesses participated each year and over 6000 individuals wore green and posted pictures.
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, 15 additional cities, and multiple agency Boards of Directors adopted Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Proclamations in the month of May.
In 2020, our community celebrates the 5th Annual Get Your Green On campaign. The month of May will include Mental Health Awareness Proclamations, trainings and awareness activities across the county, and the social media campaign on May 21st – everyone wear green!
Why is mental health awareness and trauma-informed care important?
1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 youth (ages 13 to 18) experience serious mental health concerns.
26% of children experience a traumatic event before the age of 4.
60% of adults and 50% of youth in need of treatment do not receive help due to limited/no knowledge of their mental health needs, barriers to receiving care, or fear and shame.
Communities can change these statistics by promoting awareness about behavioral health and offering trauma-informed care. You can find more information about the campaign, how to get involved, resources and a social media toolkit at www.GetYourGreenOn.org
Why is Healthier Jupiter a partner for the Get Your Green On #GYGO2020 Campaign?
As a healthy eating active living initiative, Healthier Jupiter recognizes in order to be healthy we need to think about all aspects of health including mental and behavioral health.
Healthy Eating & Mental Health
The connection between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, often called the “second brain”. Put simply, food is fuel, and the kinds of foods and drinks you consume determine the types of nutrients in your system and impact how well your mind and body are able to function.
A healthy diet consists of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains while consuming less salt, sugar and saturated and trans-fats. You don’t have to make every healthy change immediately. Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel — not just in the moment, but the next day.
Concentrate your shopping on the outside of the grocery store where the fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are, rather in the center aisles where foods like chips, cookies and candies may be tempting.
Frozen or Canned vegetables and fish, and dried fruits and beans are just as nutritious and quick and easy to cook. They stay longer, are easy to cook and usually less expensive. Make sure to choose low sodium products.
As you make changes to a healthier diet, it is really important to consider if you are at risk of developing an eating disorder. According to the Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness, “an eating disorder exists when an individual’s disordered eating patterns inhibit normal life functioning. There is an obsession around food, body image, and other eating disorder thoughts and behaviors”. Eating disorders affect 1-3% of the population. It is important that someone experiencing an eating disorder seek treatment with a therapist specialized in treating eating disorders. Treatment for eating disorders include a treatment team of professionals required to treat both the mental and physical aspects of the disease.
Physical Activity & Mental Health
Did you know, any movement one does is actually physical activity? Physical activity such as gardening, washing your car, walking around the block or engaging in other less intense activities may help improve your mood. People who walk 8.6 minutes a day are 33% more likely to report better mental health. You can try these 50 ways to walk more.
Exercise is a step up. It is planned, structured, repetitive and intentional movement intended to improve or maintain physical fitness. Certainly running, lifting weights, playing basketball and other fitness activities that get your heart pumping can help.
Regular exercise and physical activity may help ease depression and anxiety by…
Releasing feel-good endorphins, natural cannabis-like brain chemicals (endogenous cannabinoids) and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being
Taking your mind off worries so you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety
It provides many other psychological and emotional benefits, too….
Gain confidence. Meeting exercise goals or challenges, even small ones, can boost your self-confidence. Getting in shape can also make you feel better about your appearance.
Get more social interaction. Exercise and physical activity may give you the chance to meet or socialize with others. Just exchanging a friendly smile or greeting as you walk around your neighborhood can help your mood.
Cope in a healthy way. Doing something positive to manage depression or anxiety is a healthy coping strategy. Trying to feel better by drinking alcohol, dwelling on how you feel, or hoping depression or anxiety will go away on its own can lead to worsening symptoms.
If choosing between physical activities or more intense exercises for the benefits to your mental health, make sure to identify what you enjoy doing. That will help keep you motivated.
It is always important to get your mental health professional's support. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional for guidance and support on starting a new exercise plan or deciding to change to eating healthier more nutritious foods. Discuss how these changes may fit into your overall treatment plan.
If you would like more information about the Get Your Green On Campaign contact the Get Your Green On Countywide Co-Chairs:
Katherine Murphy, Director of Programs at NAMI Palm Beach County —> katherinemurphy@namipbc.org or 561-588-3477
Lauren Zuchman, Executive Director of BeWellPBC —> lzuchman@BeWellPBC.org or 561-757-8990