May is Mental Health Awareness Month
This May, we're all pretty aware of mental health. The last seven weeks of social distancing and isolation have been hard. Mental health is at the forefront of people's minds and conversations. With increased isolation and a lack of regular routine, we worry about increases in anxiety, depression, and the symptoms of serious mental illness.

At ACMHS/FCMHS, we continue to find new ways to address these challenges - with free training for caregivers, new groups for adults and children, and individual therapy, all offered remotely. We're proud of the new skills our staff have learned, and their desire to continue helping clients. And we'll keep at it throughout this month, and way beyond.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, ACMHS and NAMI - Anchorage are hosting a virtual art show "Exploring Mental Health Through Art". Tour the virtual gallery, and send us an e-mail if you're interested in purchasing any of the pieces.
people_social_icons.jpg
GROUPS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH
Our clinicians have adjusted quickly to offer individual and group services via Zoom. Check here for an updated list of groups designed to address anxiety and depression, and teach the skills to manage them day to day. We have clinicians who work specifically with young children to help them learn to regulate and manage their emotions, clinicians who work with domestic violence victims to help them build self-confidence as they move forward, and teams who work with adults with serious mental illness. Call us for services @ 907-563-1000 in Anchorage or 907-371-1300 in Fairbanks.
Upcoming Trainings
Coping Skills for Young Children
Thursday, May 7, 1-2 pm
Presented By: Mara Hill, MS, LPC
 
This 1-hour training explores why young children have a hard time coping with “big energy” and feelings, and aims to provide participants with an understanding of developmental considerations in helping children develop coping skills. Attendees will learn techniques and strategies to use when intervening and assisting young children in managing energy and emotions.


I got 99 Problems and Adverse Childhood Experience are Most of Them
5.14.20 Thurs. 1-2pm
Presented By: Mara Hill, MS, LPC
 
Our 99 ACES 1-hour training provides basic information about trauma, its effect on mental health and behavior, and the underlying foundations of trauma-informed care using song lyrics and interviews from Jay-Z’s career. The training focuses heavily on historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences, the links between the two, and their impact on individuals, communities, and American society. 
The 8th Annual Alaska Advanced Trauma Training Conference is going virtual!

The conference, originally scheduled for two days in Anchorage, will be consolidated to one day on June 3.

The Agenda and Registration will be available next week. Check our website for details.
Thank you!
These last six weeks have been difficult for everyone, especially for our youth at Alaska Seeds of Change & the POWER Center who already face daily hurdles such as homelessness and mental illness. We are so thankful for the extra community support over the last six weeks! Volunteers have delivered masks, sponsored lunches, and Microcom has come through with weekly Pita Pit deliveries!

Your generosity has been such a morale booster for our staff and has made a positive impact on our youth’s lives!