"Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, https://www.nctsn.org/resources/parent-caregiver-guide-to-helping-families-cope-with-the-coronavirus-disease-2019
Welcome to the Mental Health Awareness Month Content Hub
Explore the education, tools, and tips we're sharing to help you prioritize your mental health and your loved ones' mental health.
May 9: Harness the power of community.
The mission of LM Connects is to inspire children and families to engage and connect with one another in pursuit of emotional well-being, strong family relationships and the healing power of community.
Feeling a sense of connection is crucial for your mental well-being. Strong communities can protect mental health through shared support, resources, and joy. How can you leverage the power of community to support your mental health? Here are 3 ways from the MHA's May toolkit:
Be a friendly neighbor. It seems obvious, but taking the first step to wave or say “hello” can be the beginning of a fulfilling connection. You can also try to organize group gatherings.
Support local businesses. Locally owned businesses – from coffee shops to grocery stores to home services – keep communities going. By shopping locally, you help them stay open.
Seek out places within your neighborhood or town. Where can you find safety, comfort, or connection? Think outside of the box of where you can find people with similar interests or commonalities to you. These could be parks, places of worship, barber shops, tattoo parlors, cafes, or libraries.
May 12: If you're experiencing feelings of loneliness, you aren't alone.
The U.S. surgeon general recently declared a nationwide epidemic of loneliness. A recent study shows that loneliness can have profound and detrimental effects to a person's health-- both mental AND physical.
“We have realized that loneliness is more than just a bad feeling. It has real consequences for our mental and physical health. It increases our risk of depression, anxiety and suicide,” the US Surgeon General said. “But social disconnection also raises the risk of heart disease and dementia and premature death on levels on par with smoking daily.”
The surgeon general also shared ways you can combat loneliness in your daily life:
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Practice gratitude
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Invest time in relationships & increase quality time with others
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Spend less time on distractions, particularly social media
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Seek help if you are struggling with feelings of loneliness
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of loneliness or other mental health challenges, call or text the National Suicice Prevention Lifeline at 988.
All Videos
May 15: How to start the conversation around mental health.
If you're concerned about a friend or loved one, starting a conversation can really help. Not sure where to start? These conversation starters from Seize the awkward can help.
Keep things casual: ask to meet up to grab some food or go for a walk, send a text, or use a shared hobby as an easy way to connect.
For more tips on how to talk to someone about their mental health, visit:
https://seizetheawkward.org/conversation/starting-the-conversation
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/starting-the-conversation-guide.pdf
May 17: Fentanyl
Teens and adults may look to self-medicate when they are depressed or anxious, often times with pills obtained without a prescription--purchased online or on the street, or given by a friend. Fentanyl is found in fake Xanax, Adderall, Percocet, and Oxy. It is impossible to tell a real pill from a fake one.
Please educate your family and friends that “One Pill Can Kill”. Watch this important message about Fentanyl and how experimenting can cause accidental death.
May 20: NAMI's United Day of Hope
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI works to educate, support, advocate, listen and lead to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.
On May 20, people from across the US came together to walk to raise money for their free services, raise awareness, end stigma, and grow the NAMI community. To learn more about NAMI and their resources, visit: https://www.nami.org.
May 22: Stress & Anxiety
Life can be stressful. If you are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of your stress or anxiety won’t go away, it could affect your health. Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xfQKq.
May 24: Social media use among youth and teens.
The Surgeon General released a new advisory this week on the effect of social media on youth mental health. The advisory explains that children ages 10-19 are undergoing a highly sensitive period of brain development, which is a critical factor in assessing the risk for harm. The report outlines the potential benefits & harms of social media use among youth and teens, and proposes recommendations for safety standards around social media use.
The full advisory can be found HERE.