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SAMHSA Announces National Wellness Week: September 17-23

Cities from coast to coast will join together with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) again this year to celebrate the second annual National Wellness Week, September 17-23, 2012. National Wellness Week—held annually the third week in September as a part of National Recovery Month—promotes the many ways wellness activities can improve quality of life by adding years of life for people with mental and substance use disorders.

In collaboration with the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health and the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Million Hearts Initiative, SAMHSA’s National Wellness Week aims to inspire individuals to improve their wellness through at least one physical health behavior, while exploring their talents, skills, interests, social connections, and environment to incorporate other dimensions of wellness. According to research by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, people living with an untreated serious mental illness typically die decades earlier than the general population. This increased morbidity and mortality is largely due to treatable medical conditions that are caused by modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, substance use, and inadequate access to medical care.

SAMHSA will mobilize peer-run, faith-based, and other recovery community organizations, as well as behavioral health and primary care providers, to host events or promote messages encouraging the Eight Dimensions of Wellness around the country. Also, SAMHSA will be leading two national activities—the “Artistic Expression for Wellness” on Wednesday, September 19 and the second annual “Line Dance for Wellness” on Friday, September 21—for individuals and communities to join and improve their wellness.

Each day of National Wellness Week will focus on a wellness dimension(s): 

• Monday, September 17: Overview of Eight Dimensions—Providing information about how the Eight Dimensions of Wellness can help individuals pursue optimal health, happiness and recovery, as well as a full, satisfying life in the community.
• Tuesday, September 18: Physical Dimension—Promoting healthy behaviors including smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, adequate sleep, and safe medication use.
• Wednesday, September 19: Intellectual Dimension—Inviting individuals to contribute to Artistic Expression for Wellness national activity. Inspiring creativity and mentally stimulating activities, such as writing poetry or teaching others about one’s area of interest.
• Thursday, September 20: Spiritual Dimension—Encouraging activities such as mediation, prayer, or music into one’s efforts to enhance their recovery.
• Friday, September 21: Social and Emotional Dimensions—Encouraging individuals to join the Line Dance for Wellness in communities across the country. Dancing is a great stress-reliever and also provides social interaction. Individuals can also incorporate the social and emotional dimensions in a variety of other ways, such as volunteering, joining a book club or simply spending more time with family and friends.
• Saturday, September 22: Financial and Occupational Dimensions—Promoting tips and support on how to manage one’s finances. Encouraging individuals to explore work opportunities that will provide satisfaction in their lives.
• Sunday, September 23: Environmental Dimension—Promoting ways individuals can improve healthy environmental surroundings to support their physical and mental health.

For more information about National Wellness Week 2012, visit www.samhsa.gov/wellness.

— Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration