Welcome
Mental Health Initiative
Rotary has long been involved in mental health and wellness initiatives. Our culture of Service Above Self builds community and promotes acts of kindness, two proven methods to build and maintain mental wellness. Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally is asking clubs to expand on our culture of care by erasing the stigma associated with emotional well-being, raising awareness of mental health needs, and improving access to quality preventive care and interventions.
Gordon encourages Rotary members to make mental health a priority. Rotary has the ability to create the kind of world where we all feel supported as part of a community and where we help expand access to quality care. Everyone in Rotary has a role in this effort.
We can and will create the kind of world we want to live in: one where we all have the chance to help and to seek help. We can do this by:
- Erasing the stigma associated with caring about emotional well-being
- Raising awareness about mental health needs
- Working to improve access to mental health services
Action Steps to Make an Impact
1. Take Action: Participate in an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walks to raise awareness and to protect mental health and lives. Form a team to walk and raise money to support AFSP efforts.
*** Create your own walk to raise awareness! Ask your fellow Rotarians and family to walk with! Take a picture and post it to your club's social media page with the hash tags #RotaryStands4MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #OutOfThe Darkness
2. Raise Awareness: According to the United States Department of Education, raising awareness is one of the BEST ways to break the stigma for Mental Health. Rotarians can increase their knowledge by inviting a speaker on Mental Health to the talk to your Club. See side panel for a list of Speakers and Trainings available from the Rotary E-Club of Brain Health & Suicide Prevention.
*** Raise Awareness share graphics (see side panel) on your Club & personal Facebook, Instagram pages to spread the message
Service Project Ideas:
- Provide flyers for restroom stalls in bars, grills and clubs with “988” Crisis Line information in Community
- Partner with a Mental Health non-profit for a service project
- Have a speaker or provide a mental health awareness presentation at a school
***Check out toolkits and other resources at the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives