May is Mental Health Awareness Month! While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters!
The theme “You Matter” is intended to remind you that no matter who you are, where you are from, or what you are going through, you belong here and matter to the people in your life and community. Whether it is through advocacy, education, community engagement, or direct action in your own lives, “You Matter” reflects our commitment to creating a world where everyone’s mental health is valued and supported, no matter who they are.
Each week, I will use the Minnesota Department of Health’s Toolkit to raise awareness and provide actionable tips and resources around mental health and suicide prevention. It will include key messages for discussion, as well as images and additional web resources.
Week 3: Reaching Out Matters. Seek Help When You Need It. When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is happening within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have connections with, including your friends and family, your primary care doctor, or spiritual advisor. You can also find safe and confidential support through local mental health organizations or the 988 Lifeline.
Help can be found across many places and depends on what type of support that you may need. It can start with participating in some self-care, or engage with friends, family, or someone else to help you process, find a distraction or problem solve. If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you’re not sure that you’d benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore the possibility. Engaging in formal services can help you develop plans for solving problems, change behaviors that hold you back, and build self-confidence, all while healing from your past and thinking about your mental health goals.
- Everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. Mental Health America Tools 2 Thrive, provides information, tips, and practical tools for situations that we all deal with. These tools can be used to improve your mental health and increase your resiliency.
- Sometimes it is hard to know when you need extra help with your mental health. This information from the National Institute of Mental Health may help guide you if you don’t know where to start.
- Even in the darkest times, there is hope. Connecting with the 988 Lifeline is simple and convenient. No matter where you are or what you’re going through, skilled, caring 988 specialists are available to talk through your unique situation any time. Call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.
- 988 mental health support is available for non-English speakers too. For Spanish, call 988 and press 2. If texting, type “Ayuda” to connect with a Spanish-speaking specialist. Or you can call 988 to access translations in more than 240 languages. Ask for an interpreter in English if you are able or say the name of the language you need.
- Supporting kids’ mental health matters and knowing how to help isn’t always straightforward. 988 is also here to support families and caregivers. Call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.
- If you know someone who is struggling, having a supportive conversation can be a big help. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health challenge 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to confidential support. There is hope. Just call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Stay tuned for next week’s message, as I discuss community support for mental health. Be sure to stop in the library and check out our book displays that we have up and you can also browse our Online Catalog for more selections. We also have a community presentation scheduled at the library for Mental Health Awareness Month. We hope you can join us on Wednesday, May 27th at 2pm to learn about the Senior Life Solutions program available at Pipestone County Medical Center.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~