Page 6 - 2024年2月號

A virtuous cycle
I am enthused and encouraged by your embrace U.S. surgeon general has even declared it an epidemic.

of mental health initiatives throughout the
Mental health experts agree that finding groups and
clubs around common hobbies and interests is a
Rotary world. More than 1,000 of you have
responded so far to an ongoing survey by the
what Rotary is all about. We need to make sure all of
Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initia- strong way to create greater connectedness. This is
tives, offering your feedback on what Rotary can do to our members are fully engaged and that our commu-
improve the personal well-being of members. nities are better aware of this inherent strength.
The top suggestions are illuminating. Rotary Second, if your club has found new ways to build
members are asking for more fellowship, camaraderie, connection, please share your stories with us at
conversation, cohesiveness, and connection. They mindhealth@rotary.org so we can make them more
also want more recognition, validation, and integra- broadly known within the Rotary world. Your good
tion. They are seeking more service opportunities, and ideas might inspire others. Post your service project
they want more wellness activities, including mental stories on Rotary Showcase.
health speakers, awareness efforts, and education. And finally, I encourage you to share feedback
Our members not only appreciate the greater focus from surveys like this with your club and bring
on mental health, but they also believe that mak- forward your own ideas to improve your club experi-
ing more of the Rotary experience will materially ence and meet your peers’ expectations. The journey
improve their lives. I find it interesting that members we have begun is about more than mental health. It
are not asking anything dramatically new of their is about taking advantage of the full strength of our
club — rather they want more of what we do best. For wonderful organization and helping all members feel
example, connection can be improved during meet- that they are part of a community that cares deeply
ings simply by assigning seating once each month to about their personal well-being.
PHOTOGRAPH: MONIKA LOZINSKA these results and make Rotary more appealing to helps improve mental health. And everything we do
Everything you do to strengthen connections in
encourage people to speak with someone new.
Rotary, with each other and the people we serve, also
Here are some great ways that we can help achieve
to improve mental health helps strengthen those con-
those considering membership. First, we need to ac-
knowledge the importance of increasing belonging in
nections. Let’s continue this virtuous cycle.
our clubs and to encourage Rotary members to make
the most of every opportunity for new and stronger
R. GORDON R. MCINALLY
connections. Public health experts worldwide are

4 concerned about increasing levels of loneliness — the President, Rotary International
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