"Mental health for me is finding diversity and the time to do the things that make you happy.

I have been an elementary school teacher for 26 years.

Even though it brings me joy most of the time, teaching can be stressful, frustrating, and at times depressing.

The two activities I find time to combat these low times of teaching is to section hike scenic long trails of the United States 11 months out of the year and attend University of Arizona Athletic events as a blue beard superfan horned viking on the weekends.

As a result from doing these activities, it rejuvenates me to do my best in the classroom after each activity because my students deserve the best education I can give them.

So as a result, when I take care of myself and my mental health and I can do my best and help others." -Marvin (@mavrik_azviking)

"Mental health is mastering the act of moving through something instead of letting it move through you.
It's learning to mute the internal dialogue that tells you "you can't" or "you're not good enough."
It's quieting the voices that remind you of the darkness you've suffered from.
The journey towards positive mental health can involve analyzing hardships, disappointments, and pain, learning lessons from processing trauma, and working towards a more stable future. Positive mental health comes from seeking a better version of yourself and acting on it.
Submerging myself in nature was the catalyst that started my journey towards positive mental health. The simplicity of time on the trail allowed me to listen to my thoughts without the stresses of everyday life. Nature tested my ability to be alone and forced me, at times, to ask for help.
Learning to lean on my support systems or to seek them out when I didn't think I had any was a massive part of my healing journey. Hyper-independence was a large part of my trauma response, which caused a lot of self-isolation and created an inability to be vulnerable and ask others for support. I had to give up my ego and admit that I couldn't do everything myself while acknowledging that no one could help me if I didn't want to help myself.
Mental health is learning not to be afraid to rely on others and recognizing when you can't do it alone. It's registering that you deserve the happiness you're seeking.
Mental health is grasping the art of loving yourself enough to change the outcome of your future." -Jocelyn (@unhingedhiker)

"Mental health, to me, means slowing down and disconnecting in order to reconnect. We weren't designed to process so much information or live at such a fast pace.
Be mindful of what you consume, and focus on filling your life with love and gratitude. Make time for fresh air, movement, nourishing food, restful sleep, and meaningful relationships. Most importantly, ask for help. We weren't meant to navigate this journey of life alone." -Kenzie (@kenziefromkansas)

"Mental health took on a whole new meaning for me a couple of years ago when my daughter nearly took her own life. I've always believed I was mentally strong, but when it affected me so closely, it heightened my awareness of just how big of a problem this is and how many people struggle with it. I would have never imagined in a million years that my daughter would feel that way. It became very real for us.
When I'm outside in nature, I find peace and quiet for my mind. I stop striving and let go of constantly trying to create an identity or persona of success. My daughter's wake-up call was truly an eye-opening experience for me, as it made me realize that l've been chasing this identity of success for so long. No matter what I do, nothing quiets my mind until I'm outside in nature and able to unplug." - John (@johnmikeshrealestate)

"Mental health is the inner balance and resilience that empower us to navigate life's ups and downs with clarity and strength. It includes the mental agility to adapt to new challenges, the serenity drawn from nature's vastness, and the peace that emerges from self-reflection and physical activity-values that resonate deeply with me as a lifelong athlete. Mental health is not merely the absence of illness but the presence of a positive mindset, emotional well-being, and a sense of purpose that propels us forward, both on the trails and in everyday life." -John Ray (@jrayfromthegym)

"Mental health is acknowledging that the darkness that exists in all of us is like a weed. A weed that cannot be removed from our garden with our hands alone. By sharing our feelings, our insecurities and darkness, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, and relying on our own unique community, we put our hands in the soil, get them dirty, pull out the weeds, and prevent them from choking out the life from our personal garden." - Mateo (@call_me_mateo_)

"As a person who has suffered from severe mental health disorders, including PTSD, and spending decades in severe depression, I made it my mission to figure out how to recover and part of that was the goal of paying it forward by becoming a therapist, despite being a high school dropout.

I thought I had achieved all that I wanted in life - a family, my own practice, and some stability, but I found myself still lacking. In 2018, I was completely out of shape and I decided to hike a peak in SoCal. The difficulty of the hiking combined with the beauty of the summit was the missing piece of the puzzle of my well-being. I am truly grateful that my attempts at ending my life when I was much younger had failed." -Tara (@tararubinomyers)

“It is hard to want to pair my face with a description of what mental health is, because there is a voice in my head that says "who am I to say what mental health is?" For one, mental health is reminding myself that no one heals perfectly, and it is through vulnerability & community that I can combat that shame of imperfection.

My mental health is best when I achieve alignment between my values and my actions. If tension exists between the two, the only effective method l've found in soothing this is with unconditional love. Unconditional love is an ingredient that is often misinterpreted. In a world that encourages shame, a brave act of resistance can be allowing tenderness into my self-talk. This doesn't mean I don't hold personal boundaries, but it does require me to prioritize, at the forefront, that there is never a situation where criticizing myself is the solution. I couldn't shed the ways I harmed myself in my life until I made peace with myself.

When I can engage in self-reflection without the criticism, that is where the magic mental wellness awaits. Mental health is self -awareness, possessing a keen curiosity to look inward. To sift through social/cultural/external messaging bullsh*t and find my purest inner truths. If I can't be honest with myself, I can't be honest with anyone else!

Mental health is setting boundaries. I still suck at this one, so l'll get back to y'all.

Finally, mental health is being able to say, ‘how human of me.’ Most of all, though, mental health is being able to say

‘how human of you.’ Compassion for all and an understanding that we're all doing this thing called life for the first time." -(@mtn.alice)

"Mental health is a big priority for me. It's about taking care of yourself so you can show up as the best version of you-not just for yourself, but for everyone you care about. Just like a plant needs water to thrive, your mental health needs nurturing too. Sometimes that means saying no, staying in bed, enjoying a piece of cake, going for a walk, or hitting the trails-whatever fills your cup and nourishes your spirit.

And it's more than okay to ask for help when you need it.

Reaching out doesn't make you weak; it takes strength and courage to recognize when you could use support.

Nature is a major anchor for my mental health. Whether it's a short stroll or a long hike, being outside always leaves me feeling recharged. Filling your cup looks different for everyone, but it's all about finding those things that make you feel grounded and alive." - (@caitlynbayybee)

"What mental health means to me: No matter what battle you're fighting, know you are not alone. Struggling doesn't make you weak. Life's challenges-ones you could never have prepared for-can leave you feeling broken, but you are allowed to grieve, to cry, to be angry. You are allowed to set boundaries, take your time, and heal at your own pace.

Healing is not linear. No one else has lived your exact experience, but in your loneliness, remember that everyone is fighting something. That shared struggle connects us deeply.

Feel every raw emotion-don't diminish them to fit a culture of toxic positivity. If you need to sit in the dark, sit. If you need to cry with the rain, lift your face to the sky. If you need to scream, let it out. Just don't give up. Even when life feels unbearable, your existence creates ripples of love and impact, whether you see it or not.

I've been there. I felt it when I lost my sister. I felt it on my health journey, when pain and sickness left me wondering if I could keep going. But I'm thankful I held on. I'm thankful you're still here, too. I believe we each carry a light that brightens the world, even amidst its darkness.

Yes, there's hate and fear out there, but I still believe love is stronger. Hope outweighs despair. And there is so much beauty left to discover." (@taymunholland)