National Public Health Week: Building Bridges to Better Health

Start the month of April off on a healthy foot! During the first full week of April, it’s all about creating a healthier nation during National Public Health Week, also known as NPHW. The mission of NPHW is to bring together communities across the country to recognize public health issues and highlight ways to improve the nation’s health and wellness.

The overall theme for this year’s NPHW is Building Bridges to Better Health, which is more relevant than ever before. With better days on the horizon, now is the time to come together as a community and continue to make decisions with everyone’s health in mind.

During NPHW, each day of the week has a dedicated theme advocating for awareness on different aspects of health, such as community health, mental health, environmental health, child and maternal health, public health, and so much more!

National Public Health Week Daily Themes

Curious about the topics for this year’s NPHW? Here are the daily themes for this week:

Monday, April 5th: Mental Health: This day is dedicated to advocating for and promoting emotional well-being during heightened levels of stress like the COVID-19 pandemic. Make sure to check in on your friends, family, and yourself during these difficult times.

Tuesday, April 6th: Maternal and Child Health: This day is dedicated to educating and ensuring the health of mothers and babies throughout the lifespan. Pregnant women and children are considered “high-risk populations” and need special support during this time.

Wednesday, April 7th: Violence Prevention: This day is dedicated to raising awareness around personal and community violence to improve the health of those within the community and beyond.

Thursday, April 8th: Environmental Health: This day is dedicated to helping protect and maintain the health of the planet through acts of sustainability, lifestyle changes, recycling, and more.

Friday, April 9th: Education: This day is dedicated to advocating for quality education and schools.

Saturday, April 10th: Healthy Homes: This day is dedicated to ensuring access to affordable and safe housing.

Sunday, April 11th: Economics: This day is dedicated to advocating for economic empowerment as the key to a healthy life.

Putting Mental Health First

The week kicks off with the important and often neglected theme, Mental Health. Given the many trials, tribulations, and unfortunate events of this year, mental health is an important public health issue that must be addressed and highlighted during these times. Continued isolation, separation from loved ones, heightened anxiety, constant worry- these all can take a toll on your mental health. Coping with these stressors and unknowns can be difficult, but it is not impossible. There are healthy ways to cope with heightened levels of stress!

Here are a few ways you can destress:

Meditation, deep breathing, stretching
Engaging in joyful movement like walking, jogging, dancing- anything that makes you feel good!
Connect with your friends and loved ones via FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, or phone
Practice gratitude and positive affirmations
Start a new book
Practice self-care like face masks, bubble baths, watching your favorite show- anything that makes you feel relaxed!
Journal
Try a new recipe, or bake something outside of your comfort zone
Get outside
Pick up a new hobby like knitting, drawing, or painting
Listen to a podcast or music

With the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic just passing, the stress can seem unbearable and never-ending. Now more than ever before, make your mental health a priority! Focus on activities that leave you feeling rested, relaxed, and recharged.

During NPHW, let’s all remind ourselves that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but everyone must continue to do their part to get there.

Your Call to Action: How will you continue to care for your mental health during National Public Health Week? Let me know in the comments below.