From special dinners, to chocolates, to proposals, Valentine’s Day is a celebration of romantic relationships.
Rebecca Rackow, director of advocacy, research, and public policy development with the Canadian Mental Health Association, says that we should also look to include others this Valentine’s Day.
“Do look for the folks who don’t have somebody during Valentine’s Day and see if you can’t include them. Or if you are one of those people, find other people like you, and just go celebrate as a single person,” adds Rackow.
Rackow says that relationships of all kinds can be a good buffer for your mental health, and it’s important to have people in your life who lift you up. “[Make sure] that you have people around you who support you, and who are positive influences and make you feel like you are the best you that you can be, and make you feel good about yourself.”
“That’s something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day – the people around you who make you feel good.”
If you are struggling with feelings of isolation on Valentine’s Day, you can reach out with a call or a text to 988 for mental health support.