Giving Thanks: How Gratitude Strengthens Mental Health
As Thanksgiving arrives, many of us take a moment to pause—between family gatherings, shared meals, and brisk autumn walks—to think about what we’re thankful for. Taking the time to acknowledge the good things in our lives is a simple yet powerful way to nurture our mental health and deepen our connection with others. After all, kindness is beneficial for both those who receive it and those who show it.
Why Gratitude Matters for Your Mental Health
In the past, focusing on what was stressful, threatening, or frightening was a necessary survival mechanism. But today, it’s an easy way to get stuck in negative thought patterns that only worsen our well-being and performance.
By contrast, when we slow down to notice what’s good in our lives, we activate parts of the brain linked to calm, joy, and resilience. Research shows that practising gratitude can:
Reduce stress and anxiety. Focusing on the positive helps regulate the body’s stress response.
Improve relationships. Expressing gratitude to others builds trust and strengthens bonds.
Increase long-term happiness. Individuals who regularly practice gratitude tend to report higher levels of satisfaction and optimism.
Support physical well-being. Gratitude is associated with better sleep and lower blood pressure.
But remember that gratitude isn’t about ignoring hardship or pretending everything is fine. The point is to notice the good despite those difficult things—choosing to acknowledge moments of light in the midst of challenge.
Putting It Into Practice
If you want to make gratitude a habit, try writing down three things you’re thankful for at the end of each day, or tell a friend what made you smile this week. Over time, these small acts reshape how we see the world and ourselves.
At Step Forward Health Society, we’re putting this idea into practice this Thanksgiving. As we reflect on the past year, we’re filled with deep appreciation for our community and for everything you’ve helped us accomplish.
Here’s what we’re grateful for this Thanksgiving:
Our community of supporters who walked with us on Deas Island, raising awareness and hope for better mental health in B.C.
Generous donors who helped us surpass our $400,000 goal for the Launch Program, opening doors for new counselling and wellness opportunities.
Our volunteers and staff, who pour their hearts into creating safe, compassionate spaces for others to heal.
Our partners and local organisations, who remind us that collaboration makes lasting change possible.
And you—everyone who reads, shares, donates, and advocates for accessible mental health care. Your belief in this work keeps us moving forward.
A Gentle Invitation
As you celebrate Thanksgiving—whether it’s around a crowded table, in quiet reflection, or on a walk through falling leaves—we invite you to pause and ask: What am I grateful for today?
Gratitude won’t erase life’s challenges, but it helps us hold them with more grace. It reminds us that hope grows stronger when shared.
From all of us at Step Forward Health Society, we wish you a peaceful and joy-filled Thanksgiving. Thank you for being part of our community and for all the ways you help move mental health forward.
💚 Thank you again for everything you’ve made possible! We hope you’ll keep walking with us. If you would like to help us take the next step forward now, we’d appreciate it if you could donate today. Your generosity keeps us moving forward.