WOMEN are being encouraged to prioritise their mental health to manage daily stress, build resilience, and support their overall wellness.

National Council on Drug Abuse St James Parish Coordinator Suzanne Brown made the call, while conducting a session during the Social Development Commission Women’s Empowerment and Opportunities Fair on July 23 at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.

The session included a wellness wheel exercise to assess areas of the participants’ lives, such as physical activity, nutrition, hydration, sleep, work-life balance, and stress management.

Brown reminded participants that managing mental health is essential, particularly as many women balance responsibilities as mothers, wives, daughters, employees and leaders.

She explained that mental wellness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to navigate life’s challenges using healthy coping skills.

Adopt these daily practices

Brown encouraged women to adopt simple daily practices, including:

•Engaging in regular physical activity

•Eating nutritious meals

•Drinking enough water

•Getting adequate sleep

•And decompressing during stressful situations.

She further urged them to create safe spaces for each other by showing kindness, respecting confidentiality and encouraging those experiencing emotional difficulties to seek help.