Category: Awareness

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, images, and resources.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support.

Thank you for following along during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a subject that I am proud to advocate for. Not only during the month of September, but year round, to help reduce stigma and inform others about the importance to start conversations and to connect with resources. Here are some of the highlights that were covered during the previous weeks:

• Week 1: Let’s Change How We Talk About Mental Health. What we say to ourselves and others about mental health matters. It can be hard for people, families, organizations, and communities to talk about mental health. Not talking about mental health and suicide can increase the risk of people struggling and potentially decrease the likelihood that someone will seek help when they need it most. What we say to ourselves and others can encourage hope, celebrate life and help ourselves and others understand that help is available, suicide is preventable, and mental illnesses are treatable.
• Week 2: Let’s Talk About Mental Health With Loved Ones. Talking to a loved one about mental health is one of the best ways to get the help we need. Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be uncomfortable, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. We can all take action to have these conversations with someone who may be suicidal by using the five action steps from #BeThe1To. Ask. Be There. Help Keep Them Safe. Help Them Connect. Follow Up.
• Week 3: Let’s Talk About Mental Health In Our Community. Talking about mental health and suicide on a community level can help raise awareness and support suicide prevention efforts and encourage those who need extra support to connect to services. Surrounding people and families with supportive neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and faith communities is a critical way to support every person. Communities that work together are vital to changing the narrative about mental health and suicide.
• Week 4: Let’s Talk About Mental Health Resources. Talking about mental health resources in your community can help focus on hope and healing. It is important to find the help that is right for you when your mental health feels off. Hope and healing can come from many places and in many forms. Talking about the resources available across Minnesota and in your community can help shift the narrative to one that focuses on hope and healing.

Opportunities For Action. Individuals, organizations and communities across Minnesota play a vital role in preventing suicides. At every level, across every sector, there are opportunities that someone can take to prioritize suicide prevention and reduce the number of people experiencing suicidal feelings. Moving to action expands an individual’s ability to address the many layers that can help reduce the risk of suicide. The links to the handouts below will provide concrete ways individuals, organizations, and communities can help prevent suicide in Minnesota.

• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Individuals
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Communities
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Tribal Communities
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Schools
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Media
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Health Care/Behavioral Health
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Criminal Justice Systems
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Faith Communities
• Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Workplaces

Below are some additional resources for specific populations in Minnesota.

• The Jed Foundation is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today and tomorrow.
• 988 Youth and Young Adult Resources
• Man Therapy is an interactive mental health campaign targeting working age men that employs humor to cut through stigma and tackle issues like depression, divorce, and anxiety.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center has materials, programs, and trainings to support middle-aged men.
• The Trevor Project has information and support to LGBTQ young people — 24/7, all year round.
• 988 LGBTQ+ Resources
• The Mental Health of People with Disabilities shares research and information regarding mental health and people with disabilities.
• NAMI for People with Disabilities describes resources and challenges for people living with a disability.
• US Department of Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention provides resources to assist veterans and their family around suicide and mental health related concerns.
• 988 Veterans and Service Members Resources
• The Mental Health America BIPOC was developed for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to highlight culture, community, and connection.
• NAMI Resources for Multicultural Communities provides information for multicultural communities that face unique challenges in accessing mental health treatment and receiving care that is free from racism, homophobia, and other biases.
• Indian Health Service: Suicide Prevention and Care Program provides guidance on recognizing and responding to suicide.
• 988 Native American, Indian, Indigenous, and Alaska Native Resources
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective is a resource to remove barriers that black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing education, training and advocacy, and the creative arts.
• 988 Black Mental Health Resources
• With Help Comes Hope has resources available for yourself or to support a loved one who is thinking about suicide now or in the past or has made a prior suicide attempt.
• 988 Attempt Survivor Resources
• Crisis Text Line is a global mental health organization dedicated to supporting people in their most difficult moments. They focus on both crisis intervention and prevention, providing free, 24/7, confidential support through a text-based platform that meets people where they are.

The Minnesota Department of Health’s preliminary data from 2025 indicate more than 800 Minnesotans are estimated to have died by suicide in each of the last five years. Compared to the previous five years, there was not a notable shift in the age distribution of suicide deaths. Rates for ages 15-29 likely decreased, consistent with new research related to the 988 Lifeline. However, the rate for young teens aged 10-14 years likely increased and among older adults, some age groups experienced increases and other experienced decreases.

As a person with a life-long history of mental illness, I am passionately advocating about mental health and suicide prevention. We need to come together as a community to open the dialogue and reduce the stigma. The more we talk about it and have conversations, the more likely we are to prevent a tragedy. So let’s join our voices and share that there is HOPE, HELP is available, and HEALING is possible.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, images, and resources.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support.

Week 4: Let’s Talk About Mental Health Resources. Talking about mental health resources in your community can help focus on hope and healing. It is important to find the help that is right for you when your mental health feels off. Hope and healing can come from many places and in many forms to get the support you need. Talking about the resources available across Minnesota and in your community can help shift the narrative to one that focuses on hope and healing.

People you know can be good resources to find support in your community. Talk to your friends and family, your primary care doctor, spiritual advisor, or someone else that you can trust about what’s going on and what you are looking for. Sometimes it is nice to know that you are not alone in your struggle. Having peer support can be a great way to connect with others that may have similar experiences as you.

If you are unsure about what to do and need to talk to someone, try a local or national phone line to get assistance. They have trained counselors available to speak with you or your loved one. Professional help can also make a big difference. Ask for referrals from your friends, family, primary care physician, or other people you trust. Contact 211, 988, or your local mental health center to understand what resources are available in your community. Another starting point is to call the number on the back of your insurance card. They can help you identify what providers are a part of your plan.

People finding hope and healing is happening every single day. Exploring 988 Stories of Hope and Recovery can be a powerful way to learn how others have found ways to cope with life’s struggles. To learn more about how to safely share your story, visit Storytelling for Suicide Prevention Checklist. Even if you’re not sure that you’d benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore your different possibilities.

• Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in need of emotional and mental health support. If you or someone you know needs support right now, reach out by calling or texting 9-8-8, or use their 988 Online Chat feature.

• Warm lines and peer support can be valuable for those who are managing stress. You do not need to be in immediate crisis to call a warm line. Anyone seeking support may call the Minnesota Warm Line for Peer Support Connection at 844-739-6369, from 5pm to 9am. For more information, visit Wellness in the Woods. Mental Health Minnesota also offers a warm line. Their services are available 7 days a week, 9am-1am. Call 1-855-927-6546 or text Support to 85511. For more information, visit Minnesota Warmline – Mental Health Minnesota.

• Support groups can help us see that there are others with similar situations and experiences to our own. These groups can help members feel connected and provide peer support from those who understand. To find a list of support groups, both virtual and in person, visit NAMI MN or Mental Health America.

Be sure to stop by the library and browse our selection of suicide and mental health materials. From books to promotional items, magnets, and stickers, our display will be up throughout the month of September. I am one of four wonderful librarians, so please don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out. Even if I don’t know you, I am always open for a conversation.

Happening next week, join us for a program with local author Howard Schaap. His memoir opens dialogue and highlights the importance of managing one’s mental health. Brooding Upon the Waters is part medical mystery, part farm crisis, but above all, a love letter to our region. Howard will be at Meinders Library on Tuesday, September 29th at 6pm. Here is the link to the article that was written in the Pipestone County Star. Howard Schaap to be guest author at Meinders Library Sept. 29.

Next week, I will wrap up Suicide Prevention Month 2026 by highlighting essential resources and topics that I covered throughout September. I will also post various links to handouts that will provide ways individuals, organizations, and communities can help prevent suicide in Minnesota.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, images, and resources.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support.

Week 3: Let’s Talk About Mental Health In Our Community. Talking about mental health in communities helps raise awareness and supports those who need help. Talking about mental health and suicide on a community level can help raise awareness and support suicide prevention efforts and encourage those who need extra support to connect to services.

Surrounding people and families with supportive neighborhoods, businesses, schools, faith communities, and services is a critical way to support every person. Communities that work together in an intentional and proactive way are vital to changing the narrative about mental health and suicide.

Those who are at risk of suicide, or those who are close to a person who died by suicide, can be particularly affected by the language that we use. In the end, our goal is to reduce stigma so that individuals reach out for the help that they need. The heart of what we say should be respectful and place emphasis on care and concern.

• Community conversations are a common thread that builds community. There are many ways to hold conversations within your community. Consider searching for a community education class or community recreation programs near you to help you talk about mental health and suicide.

• Community can be defined as a feeling of fellowship with others because of shared common attitudes, interests, and goals. Community plays an important role in our mental health and wellbeing. Where do you find your community? What in your community supports your mental health and wellbeing?

• Every person and organization in the community has a role in normalizing conversations about mental health and suicide. To see what you can do, explore the Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health and Suicide Toolkit. Recommended actions, tools, and resources can be used to have conversations, prevent people from having suicidal experiences, and improve the lives of people who are struggling.

Be sure to stop by the library and browse our selection of suicide and mental health materials. From books to promotional items, magnets, and stickers, our display will be up throughout the month of September. I am one of four wonderful librarians, so please don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out. Even if I don’t know you, I am always open for a conversation.

Keep following along during the month of September for more information and resources. Week four will cover talking about mental health resources.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, images, and resources.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support.

Week 2: Let’s Talk About Mental Health With Loved Ones. Talking to a loved one about mental health is one of the best ways to get the help we need. Often our first points of contact when we are struggling are our friends, family, or colleagues. If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, talking with them can be the difference in getting them the help they need. Talking to a loved one about mental health and suicide can be an uncomfortable and an uncertain topic, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent it. We can all take action to have these conversations with someone who may be suicidal by using the five action steps from #BeThe1To.

ASK. Asking openly and directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” shows that you are willing to discuss suicide in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner. The other important part of this step is to listen to their reasons for their emotional pain, as well as reasons that they want to continue to live. Help them focus on their reasons for living, not on the reasons that you think that they should stay alive.

BE THERE. Be physically present for someone, speak with them on the phone when you can, or show up in any other way that demonstrates support for the person at risk. If you are unwilling or unable to commit to being there, talk with them to develop ideas on who else might be able to help and how they might support.

HELP KEEP THEM SAFE. After the “Ask” step, and you’ve determined suicide is indeed being talked about, it is important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. The first question will be to ensure that they have not done something already to hurt themselves. Secondly, you will want to ask them if they have a plan and a way to die by suicide. Knowing the answers to each of these questions can tell us about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in.

HELP THEM CONNECT. One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a Safety Plan. A safety plan is designed to guide people through a crisis, with a goal to keep them safe and get them help. Connected people are significantly less likely to feel depressed, suicidal, and overwhelmed, while also feeling more hopeful. You can download a Safety Plan, or you can pick one up from Meinders Library on our resource table.

FOLLOW UP. Make sure to follow-up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call. This is a great time to see if there is anything else that you can do to support them. This type of contact can continue to increase their feelings of connectedness and potentially reduce their risk of suicide.

• Check on your friends and family. Talking with them is one of the best things that we can do to get them through difficult times. 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.

• Having conversations around mental health and suicide can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference. Not sure where to start? Check out these trainings offered in Minnesota. Suicide Prevention Trainings

• If someone you know is struggling emotionally or having a hard time, you matter and can be the difference in getting them the help that they need. The 988 Lifeline has resources on what to look for and how you can help them.

• It is important to have a conversation about safety if you or someone you know are having or have had suicidal thoughts in the past. Everyone can put together a safety plan to help identify when we might need additional support. Create your own safety plan and encourage your family and friends to do the same. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has a great video called Michelle’s Safety Plan to show how to develop a safety plan.

Be sure to stop by the library and browse our selection of suicide and mental health materials. From books to promotional items, magnets, and stickers, our display will be up throughout the month of September. I am one of four wonderful librarians, so please don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out. Even if I don’t know you, I am always open for a conversation.

Keep following along during the month of September for more information and resources. Week three will cover talking about mental health in our community.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This toolkit includes key messages, images, and resources.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” with the call to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma, to encouragement, understanding, and support.

Week 1: Let’s Change How We Talk About Mental Health. What we say to ourselves and others about mental health matters. We all have mental health and it is as essential to a person’s life, just as physical health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

It can be hard for people, families, organizations, and communities to talk about mental health. Not talking about mental health and suicide can increase the risk of people that are struggling, and potentially decrease the likelihood that someone will seek help when they need it most.

Too often, public messaging conveys negative narratives about mental health and suicide. These negative narratives stigmatize mental health and suicide, which can contribute to feelings of uncertainty, shame, and self-loathing that prevent someone from seeking help or putting them at greater risk for harm. Instead, a narrative of hope and resilience can influence how people think, feel and act and lets us know that there is hope, there is help, and suicide is preventable. What we say to ourselves and others can encourage hope, celebrate life, and help ourselves and others understand that mental illnesses are treatable.

Ideas for action to start the conversation with yourself about your mental health:

• Know that you are never alone. Do you have crisis numbers available or a plan if you do feel like you get into a state of emotional crisis? 988 resource reminders and safety plan sheets are available year-round at Meinders Community Library.

• Identify what you do and do not have control over. As hard as it may be, life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

• Manage your own life and take responsibility for your actions. Recognize that you cannot control every event, but you can always choose how you respond. Put your energy into what you can fix right now instead of ruminating about the past.

• Seek help and support from family, friends, or health care professionals during times of need. Therapy and/or medications are sometimes needed to control your symptoms and better understand your illness.

• Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider, or the 988 Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8 or using the 988 Online Chat feature.

• Sometimes it is hard to know when you need to connect with someone to support you with your mental health. If you want to learn more about when you may need to get support, check out My Mental Health from the National Institute of Mental Health.

• Starting the conversation around mental health doesn’t have to be heavy. Seize the Awkward has tips and opening lines to help make starting the conversation easier.

• We are less alone when we turn to each other. The Mental Health Coalition has tips for fostering connection and how to find people to connect with through technology.

Be sure to stop by the library and browse our selection of suicide and mental health materials. From books to promotional items, magnets, and stickers, our display will be up throughout the month of September. I am one of four wonderful librarians, so please don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out. Even if I don’t know you, I am always open for a conversation.

Keep following along during the month of September for more information and resources. Week two will cover talking about mental health with loved ones using the five action steps from #BeThe1To.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

Summer Safety

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, please consult a professional. I will include a list of resources at the bottom.

It’s no secret that July typically brings the hottest weather of the year.  With elevated temperatures, you also face the increased risk of heat related illness, such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion.  Implementing immediate measures, like frequent water breaks, is essential to protect against heat stress.  And if you take SSRIs for a mental health condition, the risk of heat related illness increases.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the most widely prescribed class of antidepressant medications, primarily used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD. They work by increasing the availability of serotonin—a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and emotion—in the brain.  SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin by the presynaptic nerve cells. By preventing the brain from immediately reabsorbing it, more serotonin remains in the synaptic space to bind with receptors, which helps improve mood and communication between brain cells.  Some commonly prescribed SSRIs include Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Citalopram (Celexa), Paroxetine (Paxil), and Fluvoxamine (Luvox).

SSRIs can impair your body’s temperature regulation and disrupt thirst perception, significantly increasing your risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. They can also cause photosensitivity, making you more prone to sunburn.  Here are some ways you can stay safe this summer, while keeping your mind happy and healthy:

• Manage your medication:  Keep SSRIs in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, as high temperatures can degrade their effectiveness. 
• Protect your skin: Because some SSRIs cause photosensitivity, apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and wear protective, lightweight clothing.
• Avoid peak sun: Limit outdoor activities and exposure between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when UV rays and temperatures are highest.
• Preempt dehydration: Drink fluids regularly before you feel thirsty.  Carry water with you, and take breaks in the shade or indoors where it is cooler.
• Watch for warning signs: Monitor for rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, headache, or excessive/absent sweating.  Seek medical attention immediately if you feel you are experiencing a dangerous, heat related emergency.

In addition to SSRIs, individuals taking antipsychotics are also at risk. Antipsychotics, which are used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, can also interfere with the body’s natural cooling system, reducing awareness of heat or thirst, and increase the risk of overheating. This means people taking them may find it harder to stay cool during a heatwave.

So, as the temperatures rise, so must our ability to recognize the symptoms of a heat crisis. Watch for warning signs, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor sun exposure. Be sure to speak to your physician or healthcare professional if you notice severe or persistent sweating, are feeling faint or confused, or are unusually hot, which could be signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, cool, and safe! ~Sally~

Psychology Today — Antidepressants and Heat Stroke Risk: What You Need to Know

Healthline — Can Antidepressants Cause Heat Intolerance?

AARP — 8 Types of Medications That Can Make It Harder to Handle the Heat

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Heat Health

While mental health is important to address year round, May provided a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters!

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme was “You Matter.” The theme 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 of May, I used the Minnesota Department of Health’s Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit to raise awareness and provide actionable tips and resources around mental health and suicide prevention. I include key messages for discussion, as well as images and additional resources focused on mental health. Minnesota’s Mental Health Awareness efforts are rooted in the belief that help is available and healing is possible. Use the link above to download your own copy of this year’s toolkit.

I hope the information I provided was helpful and you took some time to explore the resources and you made time to explore your own mental health. Everyone’s journey is different, but you are never alone! Get connected with your own mental wellbeing. Prioritize yourself and give yourself permission to embrace it.

A huge THANK YOU goes out to the following people and organizations that made this month’s programs and events possible:

• The Meinders Library staff: Jody, Emily, and Kim – For letting me plan and proceed with my vision for Mental Health Awareness Month. Their continued support, encouragement, and guidance is truly amazing and I am so proud to be a member of this wonderful team!
• 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.
• Caitlyn VanDamme from SWHHS – For coming and discussing the CredibleMind platform and all of it’s resources. It is very easy to get lost in the content, but also very easy to learn new things about the over 100 topics that it covers!
• Joel Gindo: Author & Storyteller – For coming and reading from his published book, “The Bee’s Colony” and filling our minds with amazing bee facts!
• Kristee Hart and Mariah Dragstra from Pipestone County Medical Center – For coming and discussing the Senior Life Solutions program and the options available for older adults in our community.
• And lastly, our community and patrons – For every like, share, comment, and discussion that you had that was centered around mental health! TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

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~

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~