READ THIS NEXT: 8 Secrets Jo-Ann Fabrics Doesn’t Want You to Know. Disclosure: This post is not supported by affiliate partnerships. Any products linked here are strictly for editorial purposes and will not garner a commission. Every year on Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day is celebrated “to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s event is focused on prioritizing mental health and well-being, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to a press release from WHO outlining the 2022 initiative, during the first year of the pandemic, there was a 25 percent increase in both anxiety and depressive disorders, and there are continued disruptions to mental health services. This is compounded by existing barriers to care, including stigma and discrimination, and World Mental Health Day is intended to collectively develop interventions to ensure “mental health is valued, promoted and protected.” Now, JOANN Fabrics is doing its part in raising awareness and encouraging shoppers to do the same.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb If you’re looking for a relaxing hobby that can take your mind off of daily stressors, you might want to pick up crafting. No matter what medium you choose—whether that’s knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, painting, drawing, or something else—crafting can actually “bolster mood, improve self-confidence, and reduce stress overall,” an Oct. 10 press release from JOANN states. In light of this, the craft store is encouraging people to pick up baking or sewing by offering “interactive experiences” on Creativebug. The website, which is owned by JOANN, offers over 2,000 virtual arts and crafts classes “for all skill levels and interests,” with additional classes added weekly. In recognition of World Mental Health Day, you can now access this online classroom for free for 60 days. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. A subscription to Creativebug normally runs you $7.95 a month, and you’ll be charged that fee after your free trial concludes. However, you might find that crafting really does help you reduce stress, making that monthly investment worth it. But JOANN also offers free projects online to promote mental health all year round, including everything from journaling to painting—some of which can be completed in just one hour. Those who already consider themselves avid crafters can take advantage of knitting and crocheting projects as well. Another component of JOANN’s World Mental Health Day initiative is a new partnership—and if you’re a fan of musical theater, you’re sure to recognize Sutton Foster’s name. Best known for her Tony-award-winning performances as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (2011), Foster has also made her way to the small screen, starring on the series Younger and Bunheads. What you might not know about Foster is that she’s also a dedicated crafter and author of the 2021 memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life. “From the moment I discovered cross stitch as a productive and tangible way to help me navigate the significant moments early in life, I was hooked on crafting,” Foster said in the press release. “I learned early on how to channel my emotions into collages and crochet, and today, I frequently turn to JOANN and my Lion Brand yarn to create and find a sense of calm.” Per the release, Foster is working with JOANN “to shed light on the ways creating can improve mental health … shining a light on resources at a time when it is needed most.”
