May: Mental Health Awareness Month
Awareness around mental health is important now more than ever. We are all experiencing anxiety and isolation, and realizing how significantly it is impacting our mental health. However, for those living with cancer, their families, friends, and caregivers, and those living with loss, these feelings aren’t unfamiliar. They understand all too well the impact anxiety and isolation have on mental health.
For those impacted by cancer, Gilda’s Club is here to help. We have created a resource list of Gilda’s Club program offerings and outside resources to help you stay mentally strong while impacted by cancer.
Virtual program offerings to reduce stress and adopt new habits for wellbeing:
You can sign up for all Gilda’s Club virtual program offerings on our Virtual Program Offerings page here.
Support
Art Therapy – Mondays from 1:00pm – 2:30pm
For many of life’s events there just aren’t the words to express how we feel or fully communicate the depth of our experiences. That is where creativity and art enter the picture. During art therapy sessions, we use art as a means to explore emotions, gain self‐insight, have fun, seek creativity, and connection through community.
Healthy Lifestyle
Gentle Yoga – Mondays from 9:30am – 10:30am
This gentle, slow-paced, and relaxing practice focuses on stretching all areas of the body while releasing stress and tension from joints and muscles.
Candlelight Yoga – Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 5:30pm – 6:30pm
A soothing blend of slowly flowing deep stretches, mindful connection to the breath, and restorative postures followed by a guided meditation. Show yourself a little loving kindness by joining us for this special practice.
Wind Down Yoga & Meditation – Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 7:00pm – 7:30pm
Looking for quick opportunity to wind down after work? Join us for a 30 minute wind down at the end of your day. Come slow down, stretch, and quiet your mind.
Guided Meditation – Thursdays from 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Science has proven that regular meditation can have powerful, long-lasting effects. Meditation helps to activate our rest-and-digest system and begin the process of ushering our body back to a more natural and calm state. Our body begins to heal and grows stronger and more resilient. Together, we will use various meditation techniques to activate these abilities and spend time sharing our experiences. Most movements can be done either seated or lying down.
Recorded Education Workshop
This workshop discusses depression, grief, and resilience with a cancer diagnosis. This program is made possible through unrestricted education grants from Genentech.
Outside Resources
NAMI
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. Visit and learn more about NAMI here.
ADAA
Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness, yet nearly two thirds of people with a known mental illness never seek treatment. ADAA is dedicated to helping those living with anxiety, depression, and co-occurring disorders and their loved ones find treatment, support, and resources. Visit and learn more about ADAA here.
