Mental Health Association of San Francisco Offers Tips on “Loving Yourself” for Valentine’s Day
www.mha-sf.org
11 February 2010 – San Francisco, CA: Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples: it’s about learning to “love yourself.”
“Valentine’s Day is a perfect day for single people to celebrate as well as couples,” says Executive Director Belinda Lyons, Executive Director of The Mental Health Association of San Francisco (www.mha-sf.org) noting that some people assume non-coupled people are instantly depressed when February 14th rolls around. “Even if you’re in a relationship, it can be a holiday that brings anxiety and unrealistic or out-of-proportion expectations. At the Mental Health Association, we encourage people – whether single or in a relationship – to use the day to take stock and cultivate loving and caring for themselves, especially emotionally.”
For those who don’t have someone with whom to share Valentine’s Day, a certain amount of sadness may be common according to Lyons. However, excessive or debilitating negative thoughts may be a sign of more serious conditions, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and clinical depression.
“The first step to loving someone else is learning to love – and understand – yourself,” Lyons continues. “Like similar annual observations, such as the December holidays and New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and its commercialization can make one feel that they have to, literally, ‘buy in’ to a culture of false romanticism and consumerism.”
To assist in re-visioning Valentine’s Day as something for singles as well as couples, the Mental Health Association of San Francisco offers these tips for handling a holiday which has become ever more commercial, and more of an opportunity for stress.
- Your most important relationship is the one with yourself. There is nothing wrong with being single, and there is much to celebrate. Your worth comes from what you are, not who you're with.
- Remember that couples have challenges too. And, all couples were single before they were in relationship.
- On Valentine’s Day, “date yourself:” Treat yourself to something special: a day on the town, or perhaps just a quiet evening at home with a good book.
- Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic love. If you know someone who's recently widowed, divorced or going though a break-up, think about spending Valentine’s Day with them.
- If you want to be in a relationship, use Valentine’s Day to ask yourself exactly what you’re looking for. Make February 14th a day to set your own goals and evaluate your expectations. Look forward, not backwards.
- If you are caring for a loved one with mental or physical illness take a moment to recharge and care for yourself too.
For help finding treatment, support groups and other mental health-related information or services in San Francisco, call the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHA-SF) at (415) 421-292. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call San Francisco Suicide Prevention’s 24 hour crisis hotline at (415) 781-0500 or dial 911 for immediate assistance.
About the Mental Health Association of San Francisco
The Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHA-SF) is a nonprofit citizen’s organization founded in 1947 dedicated to improving the mental health of residents in the diverse communities of San Francisco through education, advocacy, research, and service. In all its programs, MHA-SF works together with people and families challenged by mental illness and with the agencies that serve them to promote prevention, access to services, leadership, and independence.
The Mental Health Association of San Francisco is an affiliate of the Mental Health Association in California and the National Mental Health Association. For more information, please call (415) 421-2926 or go online to www.mha-sf.org
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