Category: Get Connected

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~

There were so many artistic entries for the Mental Health Awareness Month “Bee Happy At Your Library” Coloring Contest, but we narrowed it down!

Daniella A., Beckett G., and Emberly K., you are the winners! Please come to the library to pick up your prize bag and to have your photo taken!

THANK YOU to all who entered! We will be displaying all of the entries at the library, so stop in and check out the creativity from this talented group of youngsters! A very special THANK YOU to the Pipestone Area Friends of the Library (PAFL) for sponsoring this month’s programs, providing prizes, and purchasing our Mental Health Awareness items and supplies!

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 2: Practicing Self-Care Matters. Self-Care is about finding practices that help you thrive, and it can include a wide range of things. It takes purposeful effort, but it can help you maintain or improve your daily mental well-being. It can be helpful to think of it as taking time to care for yourself as you would others. Prioritizing time for self-care doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive, and it is important for you to find out what works best for you. Below are a few different ways to nurture your well-being, from the Mental Health Coalition.

Physical: Notice and address the stress that shows up in your body. Notice what physical activities reduce or alleviate pain, tension, and mental stress for you. Some common activities are massages, fitness, dance, aromatherapy, rest, hugging loved ones (with their consent), and boundary setting. Emotional: Tend to your own internal emotional world, especially your mood and feelings. Ways to tend to your emotional self can include connecting with others, naming and acknowledging your emotions, psychotherapy, journaling or creative writing, art, and setting boundaries. Cognitive: Engage in activities that are intellectually rewarding and/or stimulating. This can include reading, writing, listening to books or podcasts, watching movies, and psychotherapy. Spiritual: This can take many different forms and does not have to be tied to formal religion. It means getting in touch with the less tangible aspects of yourself and the world around you. This can include meditation, breath work, prayer, connecting with a spiritual or religious community, and mantras.

Especially during times of stress and uncertainty, identifying a few small ways to take care of yourself can help maintain your mental health and well-being. Set aside the time you need to do it, give yourself permission to embrace it, and work towards adding these moments regularly into your life. Know that what taking care of yourself may look like can change over time, and it is okay to adapt to what activities you engage in to fits your needs.

• Just like you do things to take care of your body, there are things you can do regularly to tend to your mental well-being. This can and will look different for everyone. The JED Foundation has a variety of resources to help find ideas to add to your self-care practice.
• Learning to recognize and name your emotions and know how they show up for you mentally and physically will help you navigate life when your emotions are strong. The Mental Health Coalition has tools for identifying and dealing with feelings.
• Being well connected to other people promotes positive mental health and physical health and gives life meaning. Connecting with others is one of the 10 Tools for Resiliency that Mental Health America has put together to help you feel stronger and more hopeful.
• Finding movement that’s a good match for you physically and mentally can help you thrive. Be kind with yourself and your body in the process of learning to move. Explore these videos from the University of Minnesota’s Move + Thrive Project that features diverse bodies and a variety of movement and meditative practices.

Stay tuned for next week’s message, as I discuss reaching out and seeking help. Be sure to stop in the library and check out our book display that we have up and you can browse our Online Catalog for more selections. We also have some special programs and community presentations scheduled at the library for Mental Health Month. We hope you can join us!

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 1: Your Mental Health Matters. We all have mental health. It affects how we think, feel, and act every day. Just like with our physical health, we can do things that make us mentally healthier. When you feel mentally well, you’re more able to manage the stress and challenges you face in life, feel better about yourself, and engage in fulfilling activities and relationships.

Exploring your mental health will help you better understand what you need to support your mental well-being. Mental health plays a big role in your overall well-being. We all have tough days and weeks, and everyone manages their mental health every day. The best way to protect mental health is to pay attention to it, even when you are feeling okay or even good. Becoming more aware of what disrupts your mental health will help you learn what actions, tools, and resources may be useful to help you when you need it. Taking proactive steps to understand and care for your mental well-being isn’t just self-care, it is an investment in your future.

Experiencing poor mental health is not the same as having a mental health condition. “Mental illness” refers to a set of symptoms that have been identified by a health provider. People with mental health conditions experience change in emotions, thinking, and/or behavior. For some, this means extreme and unexpected changes in mood, like feeling more sad than normal. For others, it means not thinking clearly, pulling away from friends and activities you used to enjoy, or hearing voices that others do not. Mental illness is treatable and is not always a permanent state of being.

The opportunities and resources we have available in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities can help support our mental health and well-being. Mental health is about what we do as individuals and how we are supported in our communities. For example, neighborhoods and organizations can provide resources that support your sense of belonging, connectedness, and mental well-being.

• Taking steps to explore your mental health will help you learn what you need to support your mental well-being. Take action by checking on your mental health with a free, quick, anonymous test at Take a Mental Health Test – Mental Health America.
• Research has found several ways that you can keep yourself healthy. Check out these Keys to Mental Wellbeing from Berkeley University Greater Good Magazine.
• Mental Health is around us, but is often misunderstood. The Roadmap to Mental Health by the Mental Health Coalition can explain what we mean when we say “mental health.”
• Every individual, family, organization and community can promote mental health and well-being. Practicing gratitude and savoring are two individual exercises that can enhance our positive experiences in life. See Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program for practical ideas to help you.

Stay tuned for next week’s message, as I discuss practicing and prioritizing self-care. Be sure to stop in the library and check out our book display that we have up and you can browse our Online Catalog for more selections. We also have some special programs and community presentations scheduled at the library for Mental Health Month. We hope you can join us!

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