For May is Mental Health Month and Every Month: 'Live Your Life Well'

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Apr 26, 2010, 09:30 ET

Mental Health America Encourages Americans to Use 10 Tested Tools to Help Meet, Respond to Daily Challenges

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Every day, Americans are affected by the challenges, stresses and demands on their lives. And every day, they seek help in responding to them.

The good news is that there are effective tools that are readily available and free for anyone to use to help improve their well-being.

This May is Mental Health Month, Mental Health America is encouraging Americans to use these tools, which are the foundation for the Live Your Life Well(SM) campaign.

Live Your Life Well(SM)is a national public education campaign dedicated to helping people better cope with stress and enhance their well-being. Stress can take a huge toll on a person's health, mood, productivity and relationships, but there are evidence-based tools that can help counterbalance these effects.

Mental Health America created Live Your Life Well(SM)to increase the number of people who take action to protect their mental health, in the midst of ongoing stress as well as in times of great personal challenge.

The heart of the program is the Live Your Life Well(SM) website - www.LiveYourLifeWell.org - that provides 10 research-based tools and that can easily be integrated into your daily life.

"Live Your Life Well(SM)is the first program in the U.S. that brings together the information needed to help all Americans during difficult times and throughout their lives," said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "Good mental health is much more than just the absence of illness— it's about being able to handle life's challenges and even flourish."

From relaxation techniques and journaling exercises to simple ways to get better sleep and improve eating habits, the site offers a wide range of resources to build resilience and well-being. The 10 tools of Live Your Life Well(SM)also include information on seeking the help of a mental health professional.

"Just as Americans have learned there are things they can do to reduce their risk of heart disease and other illnesses, Mental Health America wants to help people learn what they can do both to protect their mental health in tough times and also to improve their mental well-being throughout their lives," explained Dr. Shern.

More details on each of the tools are available on the campaign website, which is free to the public at www.LiveYourLifeWell.org.

May is Mental Health Month is an annual observance Mental Health America founded over 60 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for all.

Mental Health America is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our century of service to America and our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a national movement that promotes mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation— everyday and in times of crisis.

SOURCE Mental Health America