May is Mental Health Month
A Message on Mental Health Month from StarCare Specialty Health System
Annually in May, StarCare joins forces with other mental health organizations to fight stigma, raise awareness, provide support and educate the community about the importance of mental health.
About Mental Health Month (MHM)
- Created by Mental Health America (MHA) and observed in the United States since 1949, MHM awareness and education efforts aim to communicate the importance of mental health to overall health and to provide individuals with information, practical tools and coping strategies around common struggles that affect mental health.
- During MHM we remind everyone that mental illnesses are real and recovery is possible.
- National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day – May 6 ~ Shines a national spotlight on the importance of caring for every child’s mental health and reinforces that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development.
- Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day – May 20 ~ Aims to raise awareness of older adults’ mental health needs; to promote evidence-based prevention and treatment and recovery supports; and to encourage collaboration and share resources.
#Tools2Thrive
As frontline workers, we know better than most how the COVID-19 pandemic forced those we serve, and us, to accept tough situations that were out of anyone’s control. Challenges such as isolation, childcare, homeschooling, joblessness, loss of loved ones, working on the front lines and more have affected people’s mental health.
In fact, of the almost half-a-million individuals who took an anxiety screening at MHAscreening.org, 79 percent showed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety.
That’s why this MHM, StarCare is highlighting MHA’s #Tools2Thrive – what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency and continue to cope with the obstacles of COVID. Check out the fact sheets below:
- Reality Acceptance – Can reduce feelings of shame, guilt and anxiety.
- Adapting After Trauma and Stress – From “Big T” trauma to “Little T” trauma, working through what happened and how it impacted your life can help build resiliency.
- Dealing with Anger and Frustration – Can prevent individuals from spiraling out of control.
- Getting Out of Thinking Traps – Can reduce overgeneralization, personalization, jumping to conclusions and emotional reasoning.
- Processing Big Changes – Can help adults and teens deal with life changes and avoid depression and problems with coping.
- Taking time for Yourself – Proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels while increasing self-compassion.