May: Mental Health Month 2020
Since 1949, MHA and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month and this year, it has never been more important. Until now, there were still some people who believed that mental health wasn’t everyone’s concern. They thought that our annual mental health resources even though they were shared with millions were aimed at just a small group of people the one in five who have a mental health concern in any given year. That isn’t the case today.
Just weeks ago, we had no idea that all our worlds were going to be turned upside down by the coronavirus. Or that the associated worry, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety would be something that literally everyone all five in five would experience.
We always intended to focus MHA’s Mental Health Month toolkit this year on resiliency, offering tools to thrive at any time. We now believe that these tools even those that we all may have to adapt for the short term because of social distancing will be more useful than ever.
Our toolkit will include sample materials for communications and social media as well as printable handouts on the following topics:
- Owning Your Feelings
- Finding the Positive
- Connecting with Others
- Eliminating Toxic Influences
- Creating Healthy Routines
- Supporting Others
Do You Know Your Tools2Thrive?
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency - and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.
This May, we at MHA-M are highlighting #Tools2Thrive - what individuals can do
daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery.
One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental
health problems.
This May, we are also exploring topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive - recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others - all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones.
For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But we want everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what work for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.
Did You Get Screened Yet?
At Mental Health America, we have found thousands of people during these last few weeks who are newly fighting anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. We have connected with tens of thousands of people to COVID-19 resources to help them thrive during challenging times. As a result, we are seeing every day that it is possible to feel productive and even happy, and to thrive despite huge challenges. Every American should have access to free mental health screening and resources whenever they need them.
We launched the #MillionInMay initiative this May to raise awareness about mental health and help people get the treatment and support they need. 119,373 people have taken a screen this May. This is an increase of nearly 100% over last month. But with your help, we can reach #MillionInMay!
Help us help another million people in the coming weeks to take a free, anonymous mental health screening at www.mhascreening.org and get linked to resources, like our toolkit, that they need to thrive. We encourage everyone to take a screen and then post about it on social media using the hashtag #MillionInMay.
Our screening program has already helped millions of people. Can we make it one million more?