May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. You may already know that more than half of all Americans will experience a mental illness or disorder in their lifetime. Just about all of us have times when we feel stressed out, anxious, or down. When that happens to you or a loved one, do you know what to do?
Recognizing that you or someone you know could use some support for your mental health is the first step. That means checking in with yourself regularly and checking in with others to see if they may need help. Then you can take action to get support if it’s needed.
The stigma around mental health and treatment has long existed, and even though this is slowly changing, people still hesitate to get help or be open to helping others. Here at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE), we are bringing awareness to the month by participating in the Take Action for Mental Health Pledge, which states:
· I will check in with myself to identify mental health needs.
· I will learn more about mental health.
· I will get support for my mental health and support the mental health of others.
· I will share this pledge with others to help them take action, too!
You can download the pledge and find more resources to help you check in, learn more, and get support on the Take Action for Mental Health website. We stand ready to take action. Let’s check in, learn more, and get support for our individual and collective mental health at SJCOE.
Other ways to participate this May:
Paper Ribbon Activity: The lime green ribbon is the symbol of mental health. Attached is a lime green paper ribbon that we encourage employees and students to sign and display on the designated bulletin board in their building/school site to show that each mind matters and that we are all here to support each other.
· WEC – (café bulletin board)
· Nelson Center (first-floor hallway bulletin board)
· CTEC (Main lobby)
· Venture (Main site staff area and Excel)
· Excel (Main lobby)
Wear Lime Green: On May 6 -- Mental Health Spirit Day—wear lime green to show your support.
Share your pictures: Share your pics throughout the month – whether it’s with your green ribbon or your lime green shirt, makeup, or nails -- with khill@sjcoe.net.
Please remember to check in with yourselves and those around you. If you need to talk to anyone, please reach out. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) offers
24/7 free and confidential assistance from trained counselors for yourself or to offer support if you are concerned about someone else.
· This is a 24/7, free, and confidential hotline.
· For Veterans or current service members in crisis or their family or friends, press 1 to speak with the Veterans Crisis Line. · For Spanish, press 2. (Para español, oprima número 2 o llame Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio al 1-888-628-9454).
· For people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or are hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255 for TTY capability.
911 will connect you to first responders, such as law enforcement, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Call 911 if you are in danger or suspect that someone is about to harm themselves or has already done so and requires medical attention.