03 Dec Paying It Forward to Support Mental Health

At basic baby co. we have decided to pay it forward in support of mental health! For each and every customer review we receive we are currently donating to either the Canadian Mental Health Association or Mental Health America (depending on the country our customer lives in).

While supporting mental health may seem like it really has nothing to do with babies or baby gifts per se, the fact is, it has everything to do with the world into which babies are born and the one they will grow up in. The reality is, mental health affects all of us. It is reported that, in any given year, 1 in 5 people will personally experience a mental health problem or illness and by age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness. When you consider those statistics, there is no denying that mental health affects all of us. Even if it is not something you have or will experience personally, there is a strong probability that you know someone that has or will experience a mental health problem or illness: To that extent, if nothing else, mental health will impact us through the relationships we have in our lives – whether that be with our parent, sibling, child, partner, friend, or colleague.

Despite its prevalence, there is still so much to be done. While there have been many strides made when it comes to how we see and approach mental health problems and illness, there is still so much to be done. Unless you are very ill, it can be hard to get the help needed for you or a loved one. Mental heath care is underfunded, under resourced, and not well understood despite its relationship to many events and experiences we have. We still have so much to do to ensure that everyone has access to the help and resources they need.

…we need to talk about mental health. It’s really that simple. The conversation has been started and the conversation needs to keep going.  While significant strides have been made, there remains a need for continued awareness around the issue of mental health and to destigmatize mental health problems and illnesses. Just as we speak without reservation, and with compassion, about diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, we need to speak about mental health this way. We need to normalize what is a very ‘normal’ part of life and being human and ensure that no one suffers in silence.

Thank you. There is almost nothing in my life that hasn’t been touched by mental health problems and illness. Between my own struggles with anxiety and trauma, an array of relationships that have been coloured by mental illness, and a career built upon working in the field of mental health, I have seen the impacts of and understand mental health from so many angles. The best part about having your own business is that you have the opportunity to incorporate the values and issues that are important to you into your work. For me, mental health is one of those issues. So, I thank you! Not only for your support, but also for allowing us to use that as an opportunity to support an issue that is close my heart. I can’t wait for those reviews to start coming in and paying it forward to support mental health! Feel free to email us with your feedback or, if you have been a recent customer, look for our ‘How Did We Do’ email in your inbox.