A Week to Change Direction

May 10-16, 2021

A Week to Change Direction was a virtual, global event during which we all took the opportunity to prioritize our mental health.
#ChangeDirection

A WEEK TO CHANGE DIRECTION: May 10-16, 2021

A Week to Change Direction was a virtual, global event where we are asked everyone to participate in one of the five ways from the safety of your home.

Individuals and organizations shared what they did for themselves and for loved ones, coworkers, neighbors, and communities to protect and encourage everyone’s emotional wellness during this worldwide pandemic.

Who? Everyone who cares about mental health and wellness!
What? A VIRTUAL and GLOBALLY coordinated event called A Week to Change Direction
When? May 10-16
Where? Everywhere and anywhere!
Why? To change the culture of mental health by encouraging everyone to stay emotionally healthy
How? We have FIVE activities you can choose from to participate in A Week to Change Direction. Want to do something else, GREAT! Post on social media during May 10-16 with #ChangeDirection what you are doing.

A Week to Change Direction 2021 Impact Report

We hosted 3 virtual events, check out the recordings!

TWITTER CHAT

Coming Out of The Pandemic: What’s Next for our Mental Health

Date/Time: Tuesday, May 11^th at 2pm EST (11am PST)
To Join: Log into Twitter and use #ChangeDirection. Chat will be hosted on @signsforchange.

WEBINAR

Collective Impact: Communities Collaborating to Improve Mental Health

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 12^th at 3pm EST (12pm PST)
Moderator: Randy Phelps, Ph.D., CEO, Give an Hour
Panelists:
- Vanessa Bechtel, President and CEO, Ventura County Community Foundation
- Cara McNulty, DPA, President, Aetna Behavior Health
- Christina Neider, Ed.D., Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Phoenix
- Hal J. Roesch II, Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars

WEBINAR

The Importance of Mental Health and Wellbeing for a Professional Athlete

Date/Time: Thursday, May 13^th at 3pm EST (12pm PST)
Moderator: Randy Phelps, Ph.D., CEO, Give an Hour
Panelists:
- Showtime Shawn Porter, Two-time World Welterweight Champion Boxer
- Chamique Holdsclaw, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Webinar Recordings

Participate in any of these activities during A Week to Change Direction:

Or get creative and make up your own activity!

Activity #1

Help to teach emotional literacy by sharing the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering.

Activity #2

Check on someone you love…check in with yourself..check in with a mental health provider. Encourage Healthy Habits of Emotional Wellbeing.

Activity #3

Share a translated version of the Five Signs and/or offer to translate the Signs into your native language.

Activity #4

Do you know a mental health provider? Ask them to volunteer by Giving an Hour.

Activity #5

Schedule an ELS course for your employees.

POST on socials how you will #ChangeDirection from May 10-16!

Inspire others to stay mentally healthy, especially during this Coronavirus Pandemic, and show them how you prioritize your mental health and create healthy habits.

Make sure to use the #ChangeDirection hashtag in all your social media posts to join the conversation!

Questions? Email changedirection@giveanhour.org.

Save these images, post them on socials from May 10-16 to let others know you are participating.

Remember to use #changedirection!

Check Out This Year’s Projects

A special thanks to our premier partners for A Week to Change Direction. These partners are leading the way in their respective fields for their work and dedication to changing the culture of mental health.