The Critical Significance of Mental Health Awareness Month + Specific Supports For Home and School
In a world where physical health often takes the spotlight, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a critical reminder of the importance of caring for our minds as well as our bodies.
Every May, communities, organizations, and individuals come together to spotlight the significance of mental well-being - advocating for greater understanding, support, and resources.
Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our overall health, influencing how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. However, despite its profound impact, mental health is frequently overlooked or stigmatized. Individuals may feel hesitant or ashamed to seek help, leading to untreated conditions and unnecessary suffering.
Mental Health Awareness Month aims to break down these barriers by fostering conversations, raising awareness about mental health conditions, and promoting access to resources and support services. By encouraging dialogue and understanding, this month-long observance helps to reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a platform for education and advocacy. It provides an opportunity to share accurate information about mental health conditions, treatment options, and available support services. Through workshops, seminars, online campaigns, and community events, individuals can learn how to recognize signs of mental distress, offer support to those in need, and access appropriate resources for themselves or loved ones.
Mental Health Awareness Month plays a critical role in influencing policy and shaping public attitudes toward mental health. By highlighting the prevalence and impact of mental health conditions, we can advocate for greater investment in mental health services, improved access to mental health care, and the implementation of policies that prioritize mental well-being in schools and the workplace.
💚 So what can we do?💚
Below I share what family's and schools can do to bring awareness and support mental health in their homes and schools.
Actions for Family Members and Caregivers
For parents, as well as other family members and caregivers, the Surgeon General mental health report brings awareness to actions that can help young people become more resilient against mental health challenges.
Modeling: Model good self-care habits, including taking breaks, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy meals, staying connected with family and friends, and unplugging from technology.
Safe Adult Relationships: Help young people to cultivate safe and caring relationships with family and other supportive adults, where they feel accepted, validated, and able to communicate openly without judgement.
Healthy Peer Relationships: Support young people to build healthy relationships with peers and to navigate peer pressure.
Stability at Home: Create a structured environment at home, including physically and emotionally safe, predictable, consistent routines, clear expectations, clear goals and logical consequences.
Risky Behaviors: Talk openly about the risks of alcohol and substance use, and how they can affect youth mental health.
Healthcare Visits: Make sure young people have regular checkups with a healthcare professional.
Check In: Observe your child’s behavior. Check in, be a mental health detective by asking questions and engaging in a non-judgmental way.
Reach Out For Support: Know who to call for a mental health crisis *988 works Nationwide in the U.S.
Safety First in their Environment: Prevent access to firearms, prescription medications, and other potential methods of self-harming.
Advocate: Become an advocate for mental health by speaking openly about it in your community, volunteering, and/or participating in local government.
What Schools Can Do:
As the place where young people spend so much of their time, schools have the potential to play a major role in youth mental health.
While school can be a stressful environment, in can also provide safety, positive role models, and opportunities for connection and building self-esteem.
Here are some of the actions that the Surgeon General advisory recommends for school professionals and school systems.
Environment: Help create “positive, safe, and affirming school environments” through developing anti-bullying policies, talking to students and families about mental health, using inclusive language and behaviors, and considering measures that would support student well-being, such as a later start to the school day.
SEL: Incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) approaches and programs.
Watch for Warning Signs: Learn to recognize possible warning signs of mental health issues, and work with colleagues, such as counselors or nurses, to connect students to services. Youth Mental Health First Aid is a fabulous course for anyone working with or living amongst children/youth. Classes can often be found for FREE Nationwide.
School Programs: Provide programs and support to meet student mental health needs, including screenings, resources, and staff trainings.
Support Your Staff: Work toward a school environment that protects the mental health and well-being of staff (as well as students), through realistic workloads and student-to-staff ratios, and competitive wages and benefits.
Ultimately, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a powerful reminder that mental health is a universal concern that affects us all. By coming together to raise awareness, promote understanding, and advocate for change, we can create a world where mental health is recognized, valued, and supported - allowing individuals to lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.
hugs.
💚xo Marcelle