May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages all month long for information, tips, and resources for YOU and YOUR FAMILY to support your mental health.
Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but also encompasses social, emotional, and behavioral health and the ability to cope with life’s challenges. Left unmet, mental health problems are linked to costly negative outcomes such as academic and behavior problems, dropping out, and delinquency. The focus of this month is about breaking the stigma around talking about mental health and about educating ourselves about the impact of mental health on ourselves, our children, and our communities.
Mental health is essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care is an important part of your mental health. When you take care of yourself, your physical and emotional health improve; you become more resilient and can find ways to manage stress in a healthy and positive way. Here are a few tips from the National Institute of Mental Health on what you can do to get started on your self-care journey.
- Get regular exercise
- Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated
- Make sleep a priority
- Try a relaxing activity
- Practice gratitude
- Stay connected to friends and family
Visit our webpages for more information and resources on the following mental health disorders:
Breaking the Stigma
Stigma is when someone has a negative view of another because of a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that's thought to be a disadvantage in some way (a negative stereotype). False beliefs about mental illness can cause problems. It is important to normalize conversations surrounding mental health so people can feel empowered to seek the help they need.
Click HERE for some valuable resources and tips on how to break the stigma and talk about mental health from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SMHSA).