The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) recognizes March as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, with its campaign theme being Improving Mental Health and Wellness.

Specific programs offered during March aim to address Purpose in Life, depression and anxiety in MS, care partnering, and wellness strategies to improve symptom management and overall quality of life. These digital educational activities throughout the month of March include:

  • “Finding Purpose in Life” on Thursday, March 4, 2021 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST: Purpose in Life (PIL) is a research area that focuses on the interactions between mind and body and the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors can directly affect health. PIL has been shown to significantly support the central nervous system, cardiovascular health, and even the immune system. In this one-hour live webinar, Dr. Adam Kaplin, clinician-researcher in the departments of psychiatry and neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, will explore the concept of having a Purpose in Life, health consequences of having/not having a Purpose in Life and why it is important, and ways to develop and foster your own Purpose in Life.
  • “Managing Depression and Anxiety in MS” on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST: Depression is a common and often overlooked symptom of multiple sclerosis, and anxiety is perhaps the most taxing and under-treated psychological effect of living with MS. Understandably, these significant health issues have been exacerbated by the physical, emotional, and financial toll of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need to address these important concerns, MSAA encourages you to register for this free one-hour webinar where Dr. Amy Sullivan, clinical health psychologist at the Mellen Center for MS Treatment at the Cleveland Clinic, will build an understanding of depression and anxiety as it relates to MS and its symptoms, discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with MS and their family, provide helpful strategies to treat and manage depression and anxiety, as well as improving one’s overall mental health and wellness.
  • “Caring for the Care Partner” Podcast: Dr. Amy Sullivan joins MSAA again on our signature podcast to address the often overlooked but important physical and emotional needs of care partners and provides practical tips and suggestions on ways to avoid care partner burnout. Stay tuned for the release of this podcast episode during the month of March.
  • Insights from MS Experts: MSAA has enlisted the support of Drs. Annette Okai and Mitzi Joi Williams to share their insights and helpful strategies on ways to better manage four key areas that impact mental and emotional health. Topics explored in this four-part series center on the importance of sleep, staying connected, diet and exercise, and self-care. Each week during March, MSAA will highlight one of these four topics on our peer-to-peer platform, My MSAA Community – tune in on the Community to read what our experts have to say!

For more information, visit Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.

[Source(s): Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, PR Newswire]