Mental Health Awareness Month

This year’s theme for Mental Health Month is "Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World."

The world is constantly changing – for better or for worse – and it can be overwhelming to deal with everything going on around you.

We know relationships and the pressures of work and school can impact your mental well-being,but it can be less obvious when the world around you is the root cause of issues. Politics, climate change, the economy, and other factors that can feel out of your control play a role in a person’s mindset.

While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your own well-being.

This May, through new resources, we will help you:

•Learn how modern life affects mental health with new tools to navigate our changing world.

•Act by building your coping toolbox so you can manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.

•Advocate to improve mental health for yourself, your friends and family, and your community.

2024: Join Us

When posting on Social Media, use Hashtags: #WhereToStart #MentalHealthMonth #StrikeOut Stigma

Follow Us On Social Media:

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Come to our events this month.

The list of activities can be found here.

ACCESS TO TOOLS: Download the Toolkit for use in the office, at home, or school.

https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month

•To fully understand how the world around us affects mental health, it is important to know what factors are at play – some of which an individual can change, such as screen time, and others that may be outside of their control, like access to basic resources or current events.

•Social drivers of health include economic status,education, your neighborhood, social inclusion,and access to resources like nutritious food,health care, green space, and transportation. All of these factors can have a far-reaching impact on not just your physical health, but also your mental health.Loneliness, current events, technology, and social drivers are having an impact on the mentalwell-being of Americans, but there are protective measures that can prevent mental health conditions from developing or keep symptoms from becoming worse or severe.

•Navigating uncertainty and fear about what is happening in the world and what the future holds can feel overwhelming, but no one has to suffer in silence. There is hope.

Mental Health America is proud to have founded in 1949 what is now known as Mental Health Month.

** Note: State Representative Chris Campbell authored a Bill that was passed on January 11, 2024 designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of Indiana.

Every May, we come together with millions of Americans to continue the tradition of promoting awareness, offering vital resources and education, and advocating for the mental health and well-being of everyone.

Being able to maintain good mental health is essential to each and every individual’s overall health and well-being. Mental health conditions are common, manageable, and treatable.

Facts on mental health
  • One in 5 people will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.

•About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their lives, with symptoms starting by age 14 for the majority of people.

•It is never too soon to seek treatment for your mental health. Getting help early saves lives.

•Mental Health America Screening provides a free,anonymous, quick, and easy way to determine whether a person is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Take a mental health test.

Protecting Your Mental Health TIPS:

Here are 5 things you can do for your #mentalhealth this week:

1.Make a list of 5 things you’re grateful for today.

2.Practice positive affirmations.

3.Start a conversation about mental health.

4.Stay hydrated!

5.Take a break from screens.

What can we do when it feels like the world is weighing on us? For starters, we can find a support system, set boundaries with technology, get involved in advocacy, and learn healthy coping skills! Find more tools  to get you started here: mhanational.org/may #WhereToStart

Everyone goes through rough periods, so it’s important to take care of yourself and have healthy coping tools on standby to use when times get tough. This #MentalHealthMonth, start building your coping toolbox using MHA’s #WhereToStart resources: mhanational.org/may

What do you say when you’re not feeling “fine”? Here are a few alternatives:

“I’m actually going through some stuff.”

“Today is not my day.”

“I’m feeling some kind of way.”

Get more help navigating tough conversations on MHA’s #MentalHealthMonth page: mhanational.org/may

SCREENING:

Life can be challenging, and sometimes it’s hard to know #WhereToStart when you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. You don’t have to start alone: take a free mental health test.  #MentalHealthMonth

Seeking professional help for your mental health is a sign of strength. If you’re struggling to figure out #WhereToStart, Mental Health America’s free, anonymous mental health screen is here to help. After you take the test, you’ll receive resources to help you take the next step. Take a free mental health test.

CRISIS:

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat on our local warm line: text SAFE2TALK to 765-742-0244

 

Get Educated

At Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region (MHA-WVR) we have several trainings that are open to community members to learn about mental health, mental illness, crisis intervention, and more. We currently offer Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). Join us every 4th Wednesday of the month for training in our Lilly Conference Room!

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a suicide interventional and prevention program that empowers participants to know the warning signs of suicide and teaches them how to effectively intervene in a crisis situation. This is a 90 minute training that involves role plays and community resources. Participants will learn the causes of suicide, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, how to intervene and available community resources. Please click here to signup for our next training.

 

 

Household Yard Sign                                      Business supports

Only a few yard signs remain.

Reach out to us for one if you are passionate about mental health awareness month!

Disclaimer
The information and documents included here are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions pertaining to your medical condition(s), treatment and care, and any other aspects relating to your health.