🐾 We're back again! March is here, and so is #Paws4MentalHealth, celebrating the mental health impact of our cats, dogs and other furry (and not furry) friends. Join the movement and take a "paws" in your day to share how your pets positively influence your well-being. Let's make this a month to remember! #Paws4MentalHealth 🐾

In addition, we are releasing the 2024 results of a new national poll about mental health and pets.

Here’s How You Can Participate on Social Media

1. Take a break — a “paws” in your day — to spend time with your pet(s) and post a picture of them with an explanation on how your dog/cat improves your mental health using the hashtag #Paws4MentalHealth on any social media platform you like. Encourage your followers to do the same and join in on this Paws 4 Mental Health challenge. Don’t forget to tag us to be featured on our platforms!
2. Share the latest APA poll results on pets and mental health on social media with hashtag #Paws4MentalHealth.
3. Join the APA and AVMA YouTube Live on Mar. 27 at 12 p.m. ET. This Chat with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), featuring Gregory Scott Brown, M.D. from the APA, and Rena Carlson, DVM, AVMA President, will cover the impacts of pets on your mental health.
4. Use our #Paws4MentalHealth filters in Facebook/Instagram and share your pet pics.
   • Instagram - Open the Instagram app and on the camera page tap the magnifying glass to browse effects (depending on your phone and version of the app you may have to swipe thru the circle icons at the bottom of until you see the magnifying effects), a screen will pop up with a search icon in the top left of the box and you can search “paws4mentalhealth.” Instagram AR Filter
   • Facebook - Facebook AR filter
   • Hashtag - #Paws4MentalHealth

Sample Posts

• Sample post 1: Join me/us for the #Paws4MentalHealth challenge! Take a pause/paws in your day and snap a picture of you and your pet with a story of how they positively impact your mental health.
• Sample post 2: The @APApsychiatric released new data showing that 88% of pet parents feel their pets are a part of the family. So, take a #Paws4MentalHealth and snap a pic of your pet and say how they help you with your mental health.
• Sample post 3: A new poll shows 84% of pet owners feel their pet improves their mental health. How does your pet impact your mental health? Share your pet picture and story by using #Paws4MentalHealth.

Please contact Cheyenne Brown, APA Social Media Manager, ([email protected]) if you have questions.