Making Time for Self-Care & Mental Wellness
It would be a rare person in society today that is not suffering some type of anxiety. Besides the normal stresses of life, there are untold cases of chronic illness, death of loved ones, financial burdens, crime, tragedies and traumas to bear throughout a lifetime. Carrying these loads weigh on us heavily both physically and mentally.
As regards mental health, facts from www.nami.org say: 1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness. Nearly 1 in 25 (10 million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness. One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by the age of 24.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2022, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 cancer deaths in the United States.
Further, one grief website, www.therecoveryvillage.com, notes that about 2.5 million people die in the United States annually, each leaving an average of five grieving people behind.
The executives behind Jess Vaughn Writes and Narrow Gate Greeting Card Co. are not immune to these conditions. That is why we believe in making time for selfcare and mental wellness as an integral part of our daily personal and professional habits.
We want to share what is working to inspire us as a means of supporting the community. To focus on this crucial need, we have put together these special care packages. Each one designed with care with the fragile emotions of the recipient in mind. There will be 4 packages to choose from.
Included in each box are:
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- an inspirational quote on a hoodie or t-shirt,
- an uplifting greeting card along with a blank card and stamped envelope,
- a calming scented candle as well as essential oils,
- one bath bar or gel,
- a washcloth or loofah,
- hand cream or body cream in a relaxing fragrance,
- a blank journal with pen, and
- a chapbook of inspirational prose and poems to encourage the receiver.
There will also be a card listing national emergency numbers to receive assistance in grief, rape crisis, chronic or terminal illness counseling, and more. Note: This does not replace need for crisis intervention, professional medical care or therapy. But everyone needs a lift sometimes. Sending a package just to say: "I noticed you were down and I wanted to make you smile" can only have positive results. Having items that are for long-term use will be a constant reminder of someone's thoughtfulness and generosity. They can take that positive energy and build on it each day!
We have arranged the personal care gift boxes targeted specifically for those suffering from depression, chronic illness, death of a loved one, cancer or other disease and similar emotionally charged issues such as sexual assault or rape. We know that this package will not take away a person’s anxiety, depression, illness or trauma, but we hope it will put it into their hearts and minds that they are loved and cared for, even when they are not able to care well for themselves at a given time.
Currently, supporters can donate towards a fund to send packages to those with emotional need in women’s domestic violence shelters, cancer centers, residential youth centers & foster homes, homeless shelters, etc. Donators will be notified by email or post when and how many packages were distributed with their contributions.
We hope you will choose to join us in this worthwhile endeavor.
Gratefully,
Narrow Gate Greeting Card Company