Mental Health Month
#mhm2021 #4Mind4Body #Tools2Thrive
Mental Health Month is a yearly observance in May that aims to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and educate the public about mental illnesses. It also aims to bring attention to suicide, which can be brought on by some mental illnesses. While 20 percent of Americans will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, almost everyone faces challenges that can impact their mental health. Toolkits are available through MHA and NAMI (listed below) that can assist you in planning activities to observe the month.
Resources:
- Five Things About Staying Mentally Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak, NIMH
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing, JAMA Network
- Virtual Learning Guide: Supporting Those Who Use Virtual Platforms to Support the Mental Health and School Mental Health Workforce, Pacific Southwest MHTTC
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week May 2-8, 2021
#CMHAW21 #FlipTheScript
This week seeks to raise awareness and end stigma and discrimination about mental health in children and youth.
Resources:
- Bringing Children’s Mental Health into Focus, NFFCMH
- Children’s Mental Health Matters, A Maryland Public Awareness Campaign
- It Takes GRIT to Help Kids with Mental Illness, National Council
- #MyYoungerSelf, Child Mind Institute
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, May 8, 2021
#CMHAd21 #ChildrensMentalHealthMatters
This day shines a national spotlight on the importance of caring for every child’s mental health. Positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development.
Resources:
- Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, American Psychological Association
- National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, SAMHSA
4th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium, May 6, 2021
Public health practitioners, professionals in the aging network, mental health providers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults should attend the 4th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium free, a free virtual event on May 6, 2021.
The symposium is brought to you by NCOA, the U.S. Administration for Community Living, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Registration is free and will open in March.
This event aims to:
- Raise awareness of older adults’ mental health needs
- Promote evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery supports
- Encourage collaboration between mental health and aging networks
- Highlight where to seek services when needed
SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week May 9-15, 2021
#NPW2021 #PreventionHappensHere
National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental health and/or substance use disorders. Each year, National Prevention Week includes daily themes to focus on major substance use and mental health topics. The 2021 daily themes will be added soon. The 2020 daily themes are below:
- Monday, May 11: Preventing Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse
- Tips for Teens: The Truth About Opioids (part of SAMHSA’s Tips for Teens series)
- Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit (SAMHSA)
- Rx Awareness Campaign (CDC)
- Tuesday, May 12: Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse
- Talk. They Hear You. (SAMHSA)
- CollegeAIM Alcohol Intervention Matrix (NIAAA)
- Substance Misuse Prevention for Young Adults (SAMHSA)
- Wednesday, May 13: Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use
- Thursday, May 14: Preventing Youth Tobacco Use (E-Cigarettes and Vaping)
- Friday, May 15: Preventing Suicide
Updated February 24, 2020