Editor’s Note: Although the following campaign was originally posted by Hannah Guttman in 2021 and has already been completed, the tips provided are still very useful and relevant today, particularly in light of this week’s focus on mental health. We hope you find them helpful.
This social media campaign will be completed on Instagram. Instagram is a great platform for reaching users of a wide range of ages and demographics. The campaign that I have created for Podesta Wellness works to reduce the stigma around mental health and inform users about how to control feelings that they may be facing. I have worked closely with Arwen Podesta MD to create a 6-day social media campaign, providing users with ways to maintain their own mental health. My goal with this campaign is to encourage users to utilize resources around New Orleans, and to make them understand that they are not alone if they are feeling certain ways. It aligns with Podesta Wellness’s missions and goals, as they take an alternative approach to dealing with mental health. It is important to try other remedies prior to starting prescription medication, and that is what this campaign is about. I will measure the success by the amount of likes, comments, shares, and saves that the post receives, as well as the ways users post and tag us, showing how they are working on their own mental health by utilizing the tips we have provided.
Instagram Posts:
Introduction into campaign
May is mental health awareness month, and we are focused on reducing the stigma around mental health. For the next 6 days we will be posting tips and remedies for dealing with some things you may be feeling. We have worked with Arwen Podesta, MD, from Podesta Wellness, an alternative and holistic mental health service. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health! www.podestawellness.com We encourage you to talk to your doctor before starting any medications if needed and call 911 if it is an emergency.
Day 1
15 million Americans suffer from depression. Swipe left through the photos to find tips from Arwen Podesta to improve your mood. Exercise and nature are great ways to help lift your mood. Try taking a walk in City Park! Arwen Podesta MD has listed various supplements that can help lift your mood. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health! Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Day 2:
Anxiety is very common, even more so with the pandemic, when Americans are more prone to anxiety than ever before. Arwen Podesta suggests practicing “box breathing” twice a day, or when you are sitting down comfortably. We have provided a diagram on how to practice this. There are also supplements that can help you ease anxiety. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health! Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Day 3:
Now more than ever we have so many tasks that require completion. Many Americans have biological attention issues. Medications can be effective, but may cause side effects, and they can also be misused. We have provided you with some non-medication suggestions. Many people who have sensitivities for various foods may experience attention issues. Try cutting certain foods out of your diet for two weeks. There are also many supplements that can be taken to improve your attention span. There are also several apps designed to help people who experience these attention issues. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health!
Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Day 4:
Sound and restful sleep are imperative for physical and mental health. Not everyone needs eight straight hours, but everyone needs restorative sleep. For sleep hygiene, consistency is key. Try going to bed around the same time and awakening around the same time. Try to avoid having electronics in the bedroom, as well as avoiding caffeine for at least 8 hours before bed. Arwen Podesta MD suggests keeping a notepad next to your bed if you have thoughts that keep you awake, as well as various supplements to help with your sleep. There are many apps that are useful for sleep. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health! Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Day 5:
Staying physically active throughout the pandemic is necessary for mental health. New Orleans has beautiful parks and trails! Walking through nature several times a week, as well as bicycling, is excellent for physical and mental health. Instead of meeting at a restaurant or bar, try to meet at City Park or Audubon Park. There are many workout classes throughout New Orleans, and if you are unable to get out, there are many free workouts on the web. Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health! Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Day 6:
Finding someone to talk to is important for mental health. Throughout the pandemic, social distancing is encouraged, so it may be hard to stay connected. Though, it should be considered physical distancing. There are support groups and therapists to talk to: https://podestawellness.com/services/counseling/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
If you are struggling with substance use issues and need a peer group, there are many recovery websites
https://www.smartrecovery.org/
https://recoverydharma.org/
https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US
Tag us and let us know how you are utilizing our tips to work on your own mental health!
Always consult with your doctor before taking anything. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
This piece was edited by Jiayi Xu as part of Professor Kelley Crawford’s Digital Civic Engagement course at Tulane University.
NOLAbeings Multimedia artist Claire Bangser created NOLAbeings as a portrait-based story project that marries... 
Voodoo in New Orleans: Reviving history: New Orleans fortune telling This article takes a deep dive into the history of Voodoo in New Orleans, its hybridization with Catholicism, and its present-day place in the city's culture. The author visits fortune-tellers in the French Quarter, using their guidance as a tool for introspection rather than a deterministic predictor of the future. Through her experiences in New Orleans, the author feels a mystical connection to both the past and the future. 