Category: Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.  While mental health is important to address year round, this month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.

This year’s theme is “Turn Awareness Into Action.”  The theme celebrates the progress we’ve made in recognizing the importance of mental health, and challenges us to turn understanding into meaningful steps toward change.

Whether it’s through advocacy, education, community engagement, or direct action in our own lives, “Turn Awareness Into Action” reflects our commitment to creating a world where mental health is prioritized for all.

Throughout the month, I will share ideas and resources on what you can do to raise awareness and provide actionable tips and resources around mental health and suicide prevention.  Below are the key messages that I will use for each week.

Week 1: Explore Your Mental Health

• Explore self-awareness as the foundation of mental health.
• Encourage journaling, identifying emotions, and understanding triggers.

Week 2: Nurture Your Mental Wellbeing

• Highlight self-care routines.
• Share strategies like mindfulness, relaxation, and setting boundaries.

Week 3: Find Mental Health Support in Tough Times

• Focus on resilience and finding strength during difficult times.
• Share personal coping tools and encourage compassion.

Week 4: Embrace Your Mental Health Journey

• Inspire personal growth and goal setting.
• Highlight the importance of celebrating progress and embracing change.

Read and share the content, start a conversation, and get more involved.  Help to spread the messages with those you engage with, and encourage them to seek out what is happening in their community and to also get involved. Use the mental health color of green during May. Collaborate to light up buildings and/or bridges. Light Up Minnesota is happening on May 15th. Swap out your standard lights for green ones, for one day or all month long.

Minnesota’s Mental Health Awareness efforts are rooted in the belief that help is available and healing is possible. For mental health awareness and support, you can start by accessing resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health America, or SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). These organizations offer information, support groups, and advocacy for mental health. Additionally, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support through call, text, or online chat.

If you are interested in advocating and spreading awareness, or if you are someone who struggles and would like support and/or a safe space to make connections and have conversations, please join me in a Mental Health Meet-Up. Watch our page and social media for details and upcoming dates.

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

September is coming to an end and so is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  I hope my posts have been helpful in giving you ideas on how to become more involved and that I suggested some opportunities for action.  Meinders Library and the Plum Creek Library System have books on the topic that can help you or your loved ones.  And as always, patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so don’t ever be afraid to ask.  Here is a photo of myself and the other librarians wearing purple and teal in support of Suicide Prevention.  These ladies are my biggest cheerleaders, and I don’t know what I would do without them!

Individuals, organizations, and communities across Minnesota play a vital role in preventing suicides.  At every level, across any sector, there are opportunities that someone can take individually and collectively 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. Minnesota’s suicide prevention efforts are rooted in the belief that suicides are preventable, help is available, and recovery is possible.

The links below will provide concrete ways individuals, organizations, and communities can help prevent suicide in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health provided “Action Plan” resource handouts. Click on the links to learn how you can take action. Everyone has a role in preventing suicide.

• Individuals
• Communities
• Tribal Communities
• Schools
• Media
• Health Care and Behavioral Health
• Criminal Justice Systems
• Faith Communities
• Workplaces

Below are additional resources for specific populations in Minnesota that were not covered in my previous posts. Help is available and healing is possible.

• Youth and Young Adults
  • Jed Foundation: The Jed Foundation (JED) 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: Resources available for yourself and to help support loved ones who are youth or young adults.
• Middle-aged Males
  • Man Therapy: 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: Materials, programs, and trainings to support middle-aged men.
• LBGTQ+ Communities
  • The Trevor Project: Information and support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.
  • 988 LGBTQI Resources: Resources available for yourself and to help support loved ones who identify as a member of the LGBTQI+ community.
• People with Disabilities
  • The Mental Health of People with Disabilities: Shares research and information regarding mental health and people with disabilities.
  • People with Disabilities NAMI: Describes resources and challenges for people living with a disability.
• Veterans
  • US Department of Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention: Provides resources to assist veterans and their family around suicide and mental health related concerns.
  • 988 Veteran Mental Health Resources: Resources for those that serve or who have served, or those that are supporting someone who has.
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
  • Mental Health America 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit: A toolkit that was developed for 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Month to highlight culture, community, and connection.
• Multicultural Communities
  • NAMI Resources for Multicultural Communities: Resources for multicultural communities that face unique challenges in accessing mental health treatment and receiving care that is free from racism, homophobia, and other biases.
• American Indian
  • Indian Health Service: Suicide Prevention and Care Program: This resource provides guidance on recognizing and responding to suicide.
  • 988 Native American, Indian, Indigenous & Alaska Native: Resources available for yourself and to help support loved ones who are from the Native American Community.
• Black/African Americans
  • Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: A resource to remove barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing through education, training and advocacy, and the creative arts.
  • 988 Black Mental Health Resources: Resources available for yourself and to help support loved ones who are from the Black/African American community.
• Attempt Survivors
  • With Help Comes Hope: 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: Resources available for yourself and to help support a loved one who has survived a suicide attempt.

I will leave you with a quote from the Lifeline for Attempt Survivors. “Whether you are thinking about suicide now or in the recent past, or you made a suicide attempt last night or several years ago, we understand that the pain you have felt is deep, your emotions may still feel raw, and that your feelings about wanting to end your life are (or were) complicated. We’re glad that you found the Lifeline and we want to help you remain safe and find hope, whether your difficult period is now or in the future.” ALWAYS REMEMBER…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.  Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a 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” and calls 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.

Start the conversation about mental health support resources.

• 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 now, reach out to the 988 Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8 or use the 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 the warm line.  Anyone seeking support may call the Peer Support Connection Warm Line of Minnesota at 1-844-739-6369, from 5pm to 9am.  For more information, visit: Wellness in the Woods: Transforming Wellness into Reality.  Mental Health Minnesota also offers a Warm Line. Their services are available 7 days a week, from 9am to 9pm. Call 1-855-927-6546 or text the word “Support” to 85511.
• 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, visit NAMI Minnesota or Mental Health America.

Meinders Community Library will be host to a Peer Pop Up with Wellness in the Woods. Individuals will have the opportunity to receive completely free, absolutely confidential peer support from one of their trained peer support specialists. Beginning Thursday, October 24th, and every 4th Thursday each month, a Wellness in the Woods representative will be available at the library from 4pm-6pm. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.

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

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a 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” and calls 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.

Start the conversation with community.

• Starting and having 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 program near you to talk about mental health and suicide.
• Community can be defined as a feeling of fellowship with others because of shared common attitude, interests, and goals.  Where do you find your community? How can you help others to connect to services when they need extra support?
• Our community plays an important role in our mental health and well-being.  What in your community supports your mental health and well-being? Communities that work together in a proactive way are vital to changing the narrative about mental health and suicide.
• 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 Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health and Suicide. Recommended actions, tools and resources can be used to normalize conversations about mental health, prevent Minnesotans from having suicidal experiences, and improve the lives of people who are struggling.

Stay tuned for next week’s post as I discuss how to start the conversation about mental health support resources. I will provide links and other resources to help with this step.

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

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a 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” and calls 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.

Start the conversation with loved ones.

• Check in on your friends and family.  Talking with them is one of the best things 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 they need.  The 988 Suicide & Crisis 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. It’s also a good idea to share your safety plan with individuals listed on your plan so that they may assist you in your time of need.

On that note, it is also a good idea to review and revise your plan occasionally. I have had a plan on paper for nearly four years and have recently had to make changes. Two of my very important support persons had passed away and some of my coping strategies I used during my suicidal ideation were no longer effective. Knowing what works and doesn’t work can be a process, but in the end, your safety is important to you and those that love you. As I mentioned earlier this month, I am one of four wonderful librarians here at Meinders Community Library and we have books and resources on the topic that can help you or your loved ones.  Patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so please don’t be afraid to ask.  I am also a survivor and an advocate, so I am always here to help or lend an ear to listen.

Stay tuned for next week’s post as I discuss how to start the conversation with community. I will provide links and resources to help with this step.

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

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a 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” and calls 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.

Start the conversation with ourselves.

• Starting the conversation around mental health doesn’t have to be heavy.  It can be as simple as asking a few simple questions. Are you OK? What’s going on? What can I do to help?  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 through technology.
• 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 the My Mental Health information from the National Institute of Mental Health.
• Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, a friend, a health care provider, or a counselor.  You can also reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8 or using the 988 online chat feature.

Stay tuned for next week’s post as I discuss how to start the conversation with loved ones. I will provide links and resources to help with this step.

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

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health Toolkit for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a 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” and calls 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.

Start the conversation with ourselves.  We all have mental health and it’s as essential to a person’s life as physical health.  It can be hard for individuals, 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 the most.  Too often, public messaging conveys negative narratives about mental health and suicide.  These negative narratives stigmatize mental health and suicide.  Instead, a narrative of hope and resilience can influence people 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 help is available, suicide is preventable and mental illnesses are treatable.

Start the conversation with loved ones.  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 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.

1. Ask.  Asking openly and directly shows that you are willing to discuss suicide in a 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.
2. Be there.  Be physically present for someone, speak with them on the phone 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.
3. 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 to harm themselves already.  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 the imminence and severity of danger the person is in.
4. Help them connect.  One way to start helping the person struggling or in crisis 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.
5. 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.

Start the conversation with community.  Talking about mental health and suicide on a community-level can help raise awareness and support of suicide prevention efforts and encourage those who need extra support to connect to services.  Surrounding people and families with supportive neighborhoods, businesses, communities and services is a critical way to support every person.  Communities that work together in a proactive way are vital to changing the narrative about mental health and suicide.  Those who have a mental illness and are at risk of 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.   What we want is a positive narrative.  Focus on normalizing mental health over stigma reduction.  Promote help seeking and sharing support services or resources for those in need.  Emphasize that suicide is preventable and there are actions individuals can take if they are having thoughts of suicide or know others who are or might be.  Know the warning signs as well as risk, and equally important, know what is effective to protect individuals.

Start the conversation about mental health support resources.  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 in your community and across Minnesota can help shift the narrative from shame and embarrassment to one that focuses on support and recovery.  People you know can be good resources to find supports in your community.  Talk to your friends and family, your primary care doctor 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 help line to get assistance.  They have trained counselors available to speak with you or your loved one and assist.  Professional help can also make a big difference, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start, as there are many different types of mental health professionals.  Contact 211, 988, or your local mental health center to understand what mental health 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.  Even if you’re not sure that you’d benefit from help, it can’t hurt to explore your different possibilities.  THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE AND HEALING IS POSSIBLE!

I am one of four wonderful librarians here at Meinders Community Library and we have books and resources on the topic that can help you or your loved ones.  Patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so please don’t be afraid to ask.  I am also a survivor and an advocate, so I always have an ear to listen.

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

Thank you for following along during the month of May! I hope this information was useful to you or someone you know! Since its inception in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a cornerstone of addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This campaign also champions the importance of destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame.

Mental Health by the numbers….

In Need of Help or Support?

If you are struggling with your mental health, there are many resources that can give you the support and help you may need. Please reach out and know you are not alone! Asking for help may be hard, but moving forward through the difficult times will bring you to a better place!

And as always, if you are in crisis (or someone you know is in crisis), please reach out out for help immediately and DIAL 911!

Until September, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It 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.

Week 5 – Connecting to resources and supports.  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, you primary care doctor, spiritual advisor, or local mental health organizations.  Help can be found across many places and depends on what type of support that you may need.  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.

• Friends and family can be a great support system, but sometimes it is hard to ask for help. It is OK to not be OK. Reach out to family, friends, neighbors, a warm line, or an emergency emotional support line, like the 988 Lifeline, if you want to talk. Know that you are not alone, help is available, and healing can happen.
• Sometimes it is hard to know when you need extra help with your mental health. This infographic from the National Institute of Mental Health may help guide you if you don’t know where to start.
• Warm lines and peer support can be helpful for those who are managing stress. Anyone seeking support may call the Minnesota Warm Line for peer support connection at 844-739-0369, from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. For more information, visit: Wellness in the Wood: Transforming Wellness into Reality. Mental Health Minnesota also offers a warm line. For more information, visit: Minnesota Warmline – Mental Health Minnesota.
• Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential emotional support for people who need it. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained counselor who can help.

Mental Health Awareness Ideas for Action: Initiate and spark conversation regarding mental health. Share what you do throughout moments in your day to take care of yourself. This can be taking a walk, playing with your pet, journaling, taking a nap, or talking with a friend. Let’s collectively promote these self-connection moments by sharing and using the hashtag #YouMatterMN.

Thank you for following along during May for Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911. Know that you are not alone, help is available, and healing can happen. Use the resources provided and please reach out to someone for support. You matter and you are loved.

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

The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  Please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.

It 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.

Week 4 – Connecting with nature.  Nature is a natural stress buffer. Supporting connection to nature for individuals, families, and communities can support physical health, reduction in behavior problems, connectedness, belonging, improved attention, and reduced rates of violence.  Connection to nature can help mitigate the impact of trauma. For example, we use more of our senses when in nature, which helps us be alert and present in the moment, rather than focused on day-to-day stressors and trauma.  We don’t have to walk in the forest daily to get the benefits of nature.  Noticing nature while in your neighborhood, spending time in your local park, or even viewing nature from inside can help access the many benefits of nature.

• Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, can give your mood a boost. Take a little time this week to get outside to support your mental well-being. Can’t make it outdoors? Try a bringing the outdoors in through a Virtual Calming Room.
• Got a lot on your mind? Mindful walking or sitting in nature can help calm your mind and induce good feelings. Get outside and notice what do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel in your surroundings. For more tips visit The Art of Mindful Walking: Slow down, Breath & Relax from Thrive Global.
• Have you heard of forest bathing? Forest bathing is more than a hike in the woods, it’s a deliberate effort to take in nature using all your senses. It’s proven to improve your mental and physical health. And it turns out Minnesota is a great place to practice forest bathing. With 65 state parks, and 17.7 million acres of forest land, Minnesota has plenty of places to soak up nature. Learn more about Why Minnesota is the Perfect Place to Practice Forest Bathing.
• Incorporating nature into your family time can give you a two-for-one mental health boost by connecting with your loved ones and connecting with nature. This week, try creating art with elements from nature, skipping rocks, or watching the clouds together. Check out these Educator and Family Resources from the Minnesota DNR.

I hope you continue to follow along this month as I post weekly key messages. Be the one to start a conversation and engage with others about mental health. Stay tuned for next week as I discuss Connecting to Resources and Supports.

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