Inside: What is inside out day and how to dress for it during spirit week?
So we all have heard about the many different themed weeks that go on throughout the average school year, but there is a newer week that is being added to the schedule that I could not be more excited about: Mental Health Week.
Mental health week comes with different fun-themed days that all surround the idea of mental health and the importance of its upkeep. There are so many different themes, so today, we will be focussing on my favorite one: Inside Out Day. I will be going over what exactly it is, why it is, and how you or your teens can participate.
This is a super fun and important week, and I also wanted to cover why that is. Before we jump into it, let’s take a deep breath and think of three things that we are grateful for. I’m grateful for my job, my new fuzzy slippers, and my morning tea!
What Is Inside Out Day?
Inside Out Day is a day when all of the students come to school with their clothes on inside out. Though this is a fun way to participate, there is a deeper meaning behind it. You never fully know what is going on behind the scenes in a person’s life, or what’s going on inside.
So for Inside Out Day, the idea is to bring awareness to what is going on inside by bringing more awareness to mental health and the way people can feel with all of the vast oceans of emotion.
It can be very confusing and isolating to be a person, so by talking about it; it’s hoped that young people will feel less alone and more able to talk about their emotions.
You should never be ashamed about how you are feeling, especially when so many others are probably going through similar emotions. By opening up this dialog at a young age, we are setting up our kids to be happier and healthier.
What Are the Benefits of Mental Health Week?
One of the biggest taglines of the mental health awareness week is that it is okay not to be okay. This is a statement that is not really spoken enough to young people and just in general. The weight of mental health is already such a heavy one, and it because even more burdensome when you think that you are alone and that your feelings are invalid and wrong.
The truth is that everyone deals with mental health fluctuations. Nothing is great 100% of the time, and when you are younger, those bad feelings can feel so intense that they can set off a chain of dominos in terms of negative thoughts which in turn leads to worse mental health. It’s not very fun, but it can be helped by creating a conversation, which is what this week is all about.
An article written on Nystromcounselling.com explains perfectly why these mental health weeks are so beneficial:
The balancing act of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and pressures of the future take its toll, and student stress and anxiety levels show no signs of slowing down. An estimated 31.9% of adolescents have an anxiety disorder.
Lack of confidence, fear of failure, and social anxiety are a few of the issues that can arise when mental health is left unchecked. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-34. The question becomes, how can we prevent these numbers?
One way to combat mental health is to understand the signs and symptoms. If students are taught about mental health in school, they will be able to identify issues with their peers and themselves, and educators will be better equipped to distinguish if a student is struggling. Additionally, identifying issues early on is key to successfully treating disorders and providing access to care an individual may need.
Inside Out Day Ideas
Inside out day does not really require much work in order to participate; you simply wear your clothes inside out! This may sound funny, but it’s a light-hearted way to get kids talking about things that would otherwise be uncomfortable.
So you can pick any outfit that you like and then where it inside out! You can take it up a notch and add silly accessories that are also inside out and really just run without. The best part about this is that you are going to look funny either way, so you don’t have to worry about putting together a cute outfit.
For added fun, you can wear your clothes inside out AND backward. This will just earn those extra laughs and brownie points from your classmates, which is always a plus. Why not go big?
How to Prepare Your Teen For Mental Health Week
I think one of the best things you can do to make sure that your kid and teens have a good mental health week is to open up a dialog in your own home. This may sound a little daunting, but it is important that your kid knows that they can come home and talk to you about anything that might come up.
By having a conversation with your child teen about mental health, you are not only bringing their awareness to it, but you are showing them that this is something that can and should be talked about with you. This is a wonderful way to establish a stronger connection with them while also creating a safer environment within the home; you really cannot go wrong.
Mental health week will have lasting benefits, which you can absolutely take advantage of if handled properly. I understand that it can be a hard conversation to have, but it is a worthwhile one.
Before inside out day, sit down and bring up the idea of what kind of emotions are going on under the surface inside. Talk about the concept of inside out day, how you never really know what is going on in another’s mind, and the importance of being able to open up. That is how you can prepare your child for this day, this week, and the rest of their lives.
And there you have it. I hope this article was helpful and that you now have a good understanding of inside-out day and all of the benefits that come along with it. I try to answer the What, When, Why, and Hows that may be floating in your brain, that way, you can feel more prepared when the day comes.
I love the themed weeks that schools host every year, and I am even more excited that they are starting to include ones about mental health. As I am sure you are aware, mental health is a very serious problem among out kids and teens, and by spreading more awareness, we could be saving lives.
If you want to continue learning about spirit week ideas, I have plenty where those are concerned. So take a look and get some inspiration for your next themed day!
I am Natalie, the eldest sister of two teens. I hope to bring not only a fresh outer perspective but an internal one as well when writing here.