- Smyrna School District
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health Month
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Mental Health Month is celebrated in May, in order to raise awareness and educate people about mental health and mental illness. It is a time to promote the importance of mental health, reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage people to seek help when they need it. The goal of Mental Health Month is to help people understand that mental illness is a common and treatable condition, and that seeking help for mental health concerns is a sign of strength rather than weakness. By promoting mental health education and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, Mental Health Month aims to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness and promote overall mental health and wellness. The Smyrna School District's DEI Committee has suggested the following resources to help others who are or know someone who is struggling with their mental health.
Need Help? If you need suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
The History of Mental Health Month
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Mental Health Awareness Month originated from Mental Health America, which was founded by Clifford W. Beers, William James, and Adolf Meyer. They created the National Committee for Mental Hygiene after recognizing the inadequate care provided to individuals with mental illness and aimed to address this issue. Mental Health Awareness Month was established to raise awareness of mental health issues and promote mental health education. In 1949, a mental health awareness month was established in order to remove the stigma associated with mental illnesses. This was mainly due to WWII, when there were increasing numbers of soldiers suffering from mental illness, which affected their moods, thinking, and behavior. The celebration of Mental Health Month began in the United States and has since spread to other countries around the world. Mental Health Month typically takes place in May each year, and during this time, various organizations and mental health professionals engage in activities and events to promote mental health awareness.
Check up on your mental health
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Please note: Online screening tools are meant to be a quick snapshot of your mental health. If your results indicate you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, consider sharing your results with someone. A mental health provider (such as a doctor or a therapist) can give you a full assessment and talk to you about options for how to feel better.
This website is an informational resource. They are not a crisis support line. If you need immediate help, you can reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the chatbox at 988lifeline.org/chat. Warmlines are an excellent place to for non-crisis support as well.
Resources
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Online Resources:
- It's Okay to Ask for Help - Delaware Resources
- NAMI Delaware - Find Info for Your Journey
- ADAA - Understanding Disorders
- SAMHSA - Find Help
- Mental Health DE - Resources
- 211 Delaware - Support
- Help is Here - Delaware
- Mental Health Association - Delaware
- Black Brown Delaware Therapists Directory
- Connects Black and Latinx Delawareans to culturally sensitive, competent mental health providers that look like them.
- Delaware Counseling Services
- Delaware Crisis Call Lines
- Includes: Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Crimes, LGBTQ+, HIV & AIDS, Housing & Homelessness, Financial Assistance, and Food Assistance.
- Delaware Hospitals and Programs
- Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, & Their Families - Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services
Understand Mental Health and Wellness
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What is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to a person's overall psychological well-being, which includes emotional, behavioral, and cognitive aspects. It involves how people think, feel, and behave in their daily lives and how they cope with stress, anxiety, and other challenges.
Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being, and it is important to take care of it just like physical health. Regular exercise, healthy eating habits, adequate sleep, stress management, and seeking professional help, when needed, are all essential to maintaining good mental health.
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Can Children have Mental Health Challenges?
Yes!
Young people can grapple with mental health challenges. These can include anxiety, depression, self-harm, and uncontrolled outbursts. Such behaviors may be seen as tantrums, hitting, kicking, biting, crying without restraint, and isolation. These issues can affect behavior, moods, learning, and interactions. Mental health problems often cause disruption at home, school, and in the community.
For more on this topic, click here.
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Can Teens have Mental Health Challenges?
Yes!
Being aware of the initial indications of mental health issues is vital for maintaining your well-being. You might experience mood swings or irrational fears. You could distance yourself from others or attempt to avoid coping with stress by using drugs or alcohol. It's also essential to take note of significant warning signs such as weight gain or loss, persistent feelings of sadness or withdrawal, academic struggles, and difficulty concentrating. If you or someone you know has thoughts of self-harm or harming others, we strongly recommend seeking help from a trusted adult immediately.
For more information, click here.
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Challenge the Stigma
Hey, just want you to know that if you're struggling with your mental health, it's totally okay to ask for help. Seriously, getting support from your loved ones can make a huge difference and help you get better faster. And don't forget, it's important to talk about mental health like any other health issue, and not keep it a secret. You got this, and we're here to support you all the way!
Sources
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Biden Jr., J. R. (2022, April 29). A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2022. Retrieved from The White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/04/29/a-proclamation-on-national-mental-health-awareness-month-2022/
Combs, A., & Ramesh, T. (2022, May 29). The history and impact of Mental Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from AmadorValleyToday website: https://www.amadorvalleytoday.org/23501/world-news-politics/the-history-and-impact-of-mental-health-awareness-month/
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Self-Help Tools. Retrieved from Mental Health America website: https://mhanational.org/self-help-tools
National Council for Mental Wellbeing. (n.d.). Mental Health Awareness Month 2022. Retrieved from National Council for Mental Wellbeing website: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/mental-health-awareness-month/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.-a). 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Retrieved from www.samhsa.gov website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.-b). Mental Health Awareness Month. Retrieved from www.samhsa.gov website: https://www.samhsa.gov/programs/mental-health-awareness-month
Youth.gov. (n.d.). May is National Mental Health Month | Youth.gov. Retrieved from youth.gov website: https://youth.gov/feature-article/may-national-mental-health-month
Reading List
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Please click the links below to find recommendations from credible sources!