Thursday, May 18th was the third annual Mental Health Action Day. This event was spearheaded by MTV Entertainment Studios and TaskForce with more than 2,000 organizations, brands, government agencies, and cultural leaders collaborating to support this global movement. While May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Mental Health Action Day is an effort to shift the culture from awareness to action. Everyone was encouraged to spend one hour doing something for mental health, and the Flawless Foundation made the most of this important day.
The team took a trip to Downtown West Palm Beach for a day of outreach. We were equipped with insulated You are Flawless branded bags with water bottles for hydration, Flawless Tattoos, Flawless Post-It Notes with messages of love, and of course a welcoming smile. We passed out these items to city workers, passing civilians, and anyone who looked like they could use a cold bottle of water and some love to get through this hot summer day. It was our mission to spread as much kindness and connection as possible, but nothing could prepare us for the love we would receive back.
We approached a man that was reading the Catcher in the Rye. After telling him about our mission that day, he returned the favor by sharing a wealth of knowledge with us that he had learned over the years. We also couldn’t help but notice he had a stack of other books with him. Reading is such a great activity for self-care, and he inspired all of us with his dedication to it.
We met another friend on this day who was hard at work, but still took the time out to share some kind words about the impact of our work. He told us an emotional story about the challenges he endured in his life with drug addiction and homelessness and how his involvement in a local Peer program is what got his life back on track. This is especially touching because of the work we do alongside the organizations that facilitate these programs. His vulnerability and expression of gratitude was a great reminder of why our purpose is so necessary.
We also took action by sharing some love with our friends at NAMI Palm Beach County. After hearing some heartbreaking news about a loss in our mental health community, we sprung into action by delivering a special care package filled with many self-care items including brand new yoga mats and a special gift for the CEO. In difficult times, it is important to remember to drop everything to connect with folks who may be struggling.
Mental Health Action Day filled our hearts with so much hope, and served as a reminder that even the smallest of gestures can create the biggest impact. Mark your calendars for next year, as Mental Health Action Day 2024 is already scheduled for May 16th. But until then use this inspiration to continue to take action and keep spreading kindness. And remember – #YouAreFlawless!
