Although Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ended in September, the need to care for our mental and emotional well-being continues year-round. Organizations like the World Health Organization and the National Alliance on Mental Illness remind us that awareness should not be confined to a single month—it’s an ongoing commitment to compassion, education, and support. With health care coverage shrinking and free resources harder to find, caring for our minds, bodies, and spirits is more vital than ever.
Taking care of ourselves can be especially difficult for people who have families, take care of their elderly parents or perhaps have a family member with a disability. Rotarians, first responders, health care professionals, caretakers and others in particular careers also need to be especially more mindful about their health. When you’re in a position of giving, empathy, or 24/7 365 responsibilities, this can be draining on the working individual. This is why it is so important for us to eat healthy, exercise and get rest. Otherwise, what would happen if Rotarians didn’t make sure to fill their cup?
In a World where Rotarians don’t take care of themselves, they become ill or burnt out, must resign from their leadership positions and have to take leave of what they’re most passionate about. Imagine, a World without Rotarians? We’ve almost completely eradicated polio and hold humanitarian initiatives all over the Globe to help combat some of these very issues! Rotary International, its members and clubs have been very good at beating stigma and having those “difficult” conversations. Subjects like period poverty, mental health, suicide prevention & awareness, and drug prevention & addiction have been spoken about and projects started to advocate and help relieve some of these very topics. Rotary does not leave any stone unturned as long as it is in line with the Four Way Test.
Doctors work hard to help treat our symptoms, diseases, health issues and disorders. They can diagnose, medicate and monitor symptoms but it is up to us to do the rest and take care of ourselves! Plus, there are Rotarians out there to lend a helping hand to the people who may be ill, less fortunate or limited because of their current state. Rotary and the people that make it also work hard at making people aware of disease and what can happen without a vaccine, fundraising and advocating for various health initiatives, holding health fairs and walks for their communities. The list goes on what we do in this World to benefit others with human ailments.
Rotarians are the service soldiers, who come from all walks of life, for the greater good, so we can all live happy and healthy. Without us being healthy, we may not be able to pay it forward, mentor and serve. Let’s eat a healthy meal, take a yoga class, do breathing exercises, see a doctor because your throat has hurt for months, talk to a counselor if you’ve been crying everyday. As the Rotarian practices healthy habits, the Rotarian practices “Service Above Self."
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, chat at chat.988linfeline.org or visit 988lifeline.org.