Category: Get Connected

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~

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!