Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters

Nana here.

As those of you who know me will attest, I’m a HUGE Mental Health Advocate. I’m big into talking about it. I’m really big into removing the stigma around it. It isn’t taboo. Mental Health isn’t a bad word. As far as I am concerned, there are far more people in this world that need mental health help and support than not. Frankly, I don’t think there isn’t someone that needs mental health help. We’ve spent so many years putting labels on things and blaming said labels and not spent enough fixing them. Frustrating, but there it is.

We all know that life gets hard. It can get really hard; difficult; lonely; dark. Some can pull themselves up and carry on. Wake up, get dressed and go about our day. We may still be sad and depressed, but we put on a “happy face.” What about those we know that have a rougher time?

How do we help them?

I’m initiating a project to help us help others. Sometimes a simple kind word bridges the gap.

Do you have a friend that needs a show of support? A kind word? But no matter how many times you say “I’m here,” “I’ve got ya,” or “I care,” they just don’t respond well? Maybe because they know you and you are their friend, so you are “supposed to say that.” Yeah, me, too.

I’m a firm believer that in today’s world, where technology is king, we need to bring some old-school love and empathy back into life. A card is a physical item. It can be held, felt, smelled, crushed, folded, or even burned. But almost anyone will tell you that they get a little smile and drop of happy when they go to their mailbox and there’s an actual, physical card written to them. Sure, we can email and text, but those are so impersonal. They can even be AI generated to send at preprogrammed times. That is not personal and takes the thought out of it. However, a hand-written card, stamped and mailed, shows up? Wow. Someone took the time to think about me. Time is the greatest gift you can give someone. It’s irreplaceable and priceless.

On this page & in the shop, you will soon find a selection of cards. Yes, physical cards. Made of real paper. A few things can be done with these cards:

You can purchase one (or more) and I’ll send them to you. You can then fill them in then mail or deliver them.

2) You can purchase one (or more) from my site and put in the note section what you want it to say and who to send it to and I’ll do the leg work.

3) You can purchase one (or more) and just give me addresses and I’ll anonymously send cards to those you think need a lift.

Plus: Things can be added, like links or QR codes for a support site of your choosing. There are suggestions at the bottom of the page. (If you have other suggestions to add to this list, please let me know and I will.) Sometimes, adding a QR can help. It’s much easier to just aim your phone at that, then physically typing in a website address. It may seem small, but it’s there.

A couple of examples:

A friend is having a rough time. Won’t listen to your words of encouragement. A card arrives in that friend’s mailbox. A card from someone, somewhere, possibly even a different state that says:

“Hey, friend, you matter. You are loved. We need you here with us. Smile. We care.”

And, maybe, just maybe, they smile. A genuine, real smile. Maybe they will tell you about getting it, or you see it on their kitchen counter and ask. They have no clue where it came from, and you can be surprised, and say, “Wow, see I told you people cared.” (One of the only times “I told you so” is acceptable. Lol) Maybe it will open up a conversation about getting proper help or support.

Second example:

You “know” someone (an acquaintance, maybe?) that you can tell needs a pick-me-up. You may not know them well enough to say something profound, but you can have this card filled out (signed or not) and just “drop” it at their place, slip it in their bag, leave it on their desk, on their car, whatever. But it’s support.

Cards Available (coming shortly.) If you want a different one, email me and I will be happy to discuss.

Helpful Sites:

Below are some sites that I’ve been a member of or researched. There are also some other sites that have been suggested to me for this or have been used on cards already. Feel free to use this as research: