Every beginning of the year is like this: we make a lot of plans and promises, which are often not fulfilled. But one thing cannot be left aside: health, both physical and mental. The beginning of the year is the time for the White January Campaign, a Brazilian movement on Mental Health that for more than a decade has invited society to reflect, dialogue and act in favor of emotional well-being.
The initiative was created in 2014 by the psychologist, speaker and writer from Minas Gerais, Leonardo Abrahão. Today, the campaign is a milestone in the Brazilian calendar and, since 2023, it has been officially recognized as federal law.
Every year there is a theme. The one for 2025 is “What to do for mental health now and always?”. The idea is to get people, families, companies and public and private institutions to support concrete actions that encourage the appreciation of mental health as a collective priority.
Lectures, conversation circles, workshops, walks, races and cultural events are planned in several cities across the country, bringing together psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, educators, managers, community leaders, media and the general population.
Danger
Cristiano Nabuco, a psychologist specializing in technological addiction, lists some signs that mental health is in danger and makes an observation.
“Excessive alcohol consumption, buying too much, in short, whenever I go out of my balance, that can be a strong indicator that something is not going well. Health professionals who are trained to help are not going to come and say how you should live your life better, it’s your life. What will he do? He will provoke reflections that often have this healing factor.”
Cristiano warns that – when sensations and feelings change – it may be a sign that you need to look for a professional.
“First: constant feeling of tiredness or emotional exhaustion. Second: difficulty concentrating as before. Difficulty finding satisfaction in things that were very pleasant. Another element involves changes in sleep: insomnia, when you can’t sleep or get too much sleep , and issues related to appetite.”
Anyone who wants to support the campaign can do so download free of charge foldersposters, bannerstracks, buttonsbooklets and pamphlets in official website of the White January Movement. The materials come with didactic and accessible guidance on mental health.
