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 4: Community Support For Mental Health Matters. It’s important to make mental health an ongoing priority in our lives and communities. Community advocacy for mental health and what’s needed to support our own and our neighbor’s mental health and wellbeing can help others feel more comfortable talking about mental health, seeking help, and ensuring access to helpful resources that are available when people need them. As a result, community efforts will help build connections and foster the feeling that no one is alone. It will also help connect our neighbors to mental health services and resources in times of need, and make space to gain perspective on the difficulties we and our neighbors are experiencing.
- NAMI MN provides free education and support groups and confidential crisis resources to reach communities across the state, including those who remain disproportionately affected in the wake of recent ICE operations in Minnesota. Learn about free classes and support groups and find resources at https://namimn.org/support/information-and-resources/ and https://namimn.org/ice/.
- Having conversations around mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference. Not sure where to start? Check out these tips and tools from Seize the Awkward to help you start the conversation and what to do during and after the conversation.
- Offering support is one of the best things that we can do to support the mental wellbeing of friends, family, and neighbors. However, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. The Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends gives ideas on what support can look like, how to offer support, and where to begin.
- This guide by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a broad approach for things we can do—at our own pace, in our own time, and within our own abilities—that can help support us in our wellness journey. Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness
Be sure to stop in the library and check out our book displays, which will be up through Saturday, and you can also browse our Online Catalog for more selections. A HUGE THANK YOU to PAFL (Pipestone Area Friends of the Library) for backing my Mental Health Awareness Month events and programs, and for purchasing the needed materials, supplies, and prizes.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~