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Little Things Mental Health Campaign – January 2025

The Little Things Mental Health Campaign, or #littlethings, is a mental health and wellbeing campaign observed in January. It was created by the H.S.E.’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, in partnership with over 25 other organizations. The objective of the campaign is to highlight little things an individual can do to improve their mental health, including keeping active, talking about problems, drinking less alcohol, and eating and sleeping well. Though mental illness is an immensely complex and harrowing experience, the campaign holds that little things can improve your sense of wellbeing, at least a little.

History of Little Things Mental Health Campaign

Different conceptions and ideas of mental health have existed over time. The closely related concept of ‘mental hygiene’ has been around in literature since 1843, and the first International Congress on Mental Health was organized in 1948, in London. Today’s beliefs surrounding mental health can be traced back to the development of public health, clinical psychology, and other branches of knowledge. Technical references to mental health as an independent discipline date back to 1948 when the International Health Conference decided to establish the World Health Organization (WHO) and a Mental Health Foundation was created in London, in 1949.

The WHO’s Expert Committee on Mental Health later defined mental health and mental hygiene in 1950. According to them, mental hygiene refers to “all the activities and techniques which encourage and maintain mental health. Mental health is a condition, subject to fluctuations due to biological and social factors, which enables the individual to achieve a satisfactory synthesis of his own potentially conflicting, instinctive drives; to form and maintain harmonious relations with others, and to participate in constructive changes in his social and physical environment.”

Today, mental health is seen as a dimension of health, essential to the achievement of “good” health. However, many people continue to conflate health with the absence of disease. Consequently, mental health is often viewed simply as the lack of mental illness. There has, however, been a recent call to acknowledge that mental health means far more.

Little Things Mental Health Campaign timeline

1843
Mental Hygiene

The term ‘mental hygiene’ is mentioned in literature for the first time.

1948
The International Congress on Mental Health

The first International Congress on Mental Health is organized in London.

1949
The First Mental Health Foundation

A Mental Health Foundation is established in London.

1950
Definitions

‘Mental hygiene’ is defined during the second session of the WHO’s Expert Committee on Mental Health.

Little Things Mental Health Campaign FAQs

What are the four types of mental illness?

There are many types of mental illnesses, including, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders.

What defines mental health?

Mental health is defined by a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

What are the warning signs of mental illness?

There exist many indicators of mental illness including disturbances in mood and sleep, excessive fears, tiredness, e.t.c.

How to Observe Little Things Mental Health Campaign

  1. Check in on yourself

    Before anything else, check in on yourself. Try to understand how your mental health currently is.

  2. Confide in someone

    If you are feeling conflicted or helpless, confide in a supportive loved one or counselor. You are not alone.

  3. Talk about it on social media

    Mental illness and mental healthcare are still somewhat taboo. If you are comfortable with it, talk about the topic on social media.

5 Facts About Mental Health And Illness

  1. Severity

    A bulk of mental health issues are commonly mild to moderate, short-lived mental health conditions.

  2. Gender

    Gender can play a role in the prevalence of mental illness, along with the manifestations of particular symptoms.

  3. The impact of diet

    An individual’s diet can impact their mental health.

  4. Sleep and depression

    Sleep disturbances are correlated with depression in individuals.

  5. Social isolation

    Social isolation can be a catalyst for several mental illnesses.

Why Little Things Mental Health Campaign is Important

  1. It encourages checking in on your mental health

    The Little Things Mental Health Campaign aims at improving individuals’ mental health. The campaign thus encourages people to check in on themselves.

  2. It empowers people to take care of themselves

    The campaign encourages people to do things to nourish their mental health. It’s incredibly empowering.

  3. It brings up the conversation about mental health

    Mental health is still a very taboo concept. The campaign sparks a conversation about mental health.

Little Things Mental Health Campaign dates

YearDateDay
2025January 1Wednesday
2026January 1Thursday
2027January 1Friday
2028January 1Saturday
2029January 1Monday
Celebration of Life Week
Celebration of Life Week
Diet Resolution Week
Diet Resolution Week
National Time Consciousness Week
New Year’s Resolutions Week
Silent Record Week
World Series of Beer Pong
Apple Gifting Day
Apple Gifting Day
Commitment Day
Commitment Day
Copyright Law Day
Ellis Island Day
Ellis Island Day
Euro Day
Euro Day
National First-Foot Day
First-Foot Day
Global Family Day
Haitian Independence Day
International Public Domain Day
Mummer's Parade
National Bloody Mary Day
National Hangover Day
National Shepherd Day
New Year's Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
New Year’s Dishonor List Day
Polar Bear Plunge Day
Public Domain Day
Ring a Bell Day
Rose Bowl Game
Solemnity of Mary
Sudan Independence Day
Tournament of Roses Parade
Triumph of the Revolution
Triumph of the Revolution
Universal Hour of Peace
Universal Hour of Peace
World Day of Peace
Z Day
Z Day
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month
Apple and Apricot Month
Artichoke and Asparagus Month
Be Kind To Food Servers Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
Bread Machine Baking Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Dried Plum Digestive Month
California Restaurant Month
California Restaurant Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Celebration Of Life Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month
Clap 4 Health Month
Dry January
Family Fit Lifestyle Month
Financial Wellness Month
Financial Wellness Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get A Balanced Life Month
Get Ireland Active
Get Organized Month
Get Organized Month
Ginuary
International Brain Teaser Month
International Change Your Stars Month
International Child-Centered Divorce Month
International Creativity Month
International Creativity Month
International Quality of Life Month
International Wayfinding Month
International Wealth Mentality Month
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Little Things Mental Health Campaign
Manuary
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Bath Safety Month
National Be On-Purpose Month
National Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Black Diamond Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Book Blitz Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National CBD Month
National Clean Up Your Computer Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Codependency Awareness Month
National Conscience Month
National Eye Care Month
National Eye Care Month
National Fiber Focus Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Mail Order Gardening Month
National Meat Month
National Mentoring Month
National Menudo Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Personal Trainer Awareness Month
National Polka Month
National Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month
National Radon Action Month
National Skating Month
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Staying Healthy Month
National Sunday Supper Month
National Thank You Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
National Wheat Bread Month
Poverty Awareness Month
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Prune Breakfast Month
Receding Gums Awareness Month
Retail Bakers Month
Rising Star Month
Self-Love Month
Shape Up US Month
Stalking Awareness Month
START Child Health campaign
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Teen Driving Awareness Month
Thyroid Awareness Month
Tubers and Dried Fruit Month
Unchain a Dog Month
Veganuary
Walk Your Dog Month

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