Community Newsletter | May 2021
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and it’s important to understand that mental illnesses are common and treatable. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can affect their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health in people of all ages. Now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that can keep people from seeking help. Helpful fact sheets and worksheets can be found on our website here.

At United General District 304, we recognize that opportunities to promote mental health happen across all of our six pillars of health and wellbeing. For May Mental Health Awareness Month, we are highlighting ways you can join us to improve your own mental health while #BuildingHealthierCommunities.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
May 13 | 12 pm - 5:30 pm
June 2 | 12 pm - 5:30 pm
June 24 | 9 am - 2:30 pm
Any adult can support a young person in crisis and Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches them how. Learn the five-step action plan for reaching out and supporting youth experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Free, virtual courses are offered every month. Learn more and sign up here
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
May 25 from 1 pm - 2 pm
June 17 from 11 am - 12 pm
A one-hour training can help you save a life from suicide. Our certified QPR trainers teach any adult (16+) how to recognize signs and symptoms that may put someone at risk for suicide. Participants will leave knowing when and how to apply proven QPR methods in their personal and professional life. Register here for a free 60-minute community QPR training, conveniently held over Zoom.
Become a Lifesaver!
May 16 from 1 pm - 3 pm
May 18 from 6 pm - 8 pm
In-person classes are held on the PeaceHealth United General Hospital campus 
Adult & Infant CPR, AED, and First Aid classes are available this May. Trainings are taught by our own American Red Cross certified trainer, Stephanie Morgareidge, in a hybrid format. The course consists of an online learning portion completed prior to a 2-hour in-person training. The cost to register is $60 per person and certifications are good for two years. A 50% discount is available to low-income households.
Click here for more info and registration. Register before May 13th.
Trek for Treasure's Early Bird registration ends May 15th! Sign up your team now for the best price and t-shirt selection. Standard registration runs from May 16-June10. Visit TrekforTreasure.org for more information.
Protecting Young Minds
Parents and caregivers can protect their teen’s mental health by keeping alcohol and cannabis (aka marijuana) away from their developing brains! The Sedro-Woolley RISE coalition is sharing this information, along with the good news about what parents in their community are doing to keep their teens safe. Check out the Sedro Woolley Parents RISE kickoff event featuring Dr. Jason Kilmer talking about the science behind substance use prevention. A link to the recording of the April 20th event, and key findings from the survey of Sedro-Woolley parents & guardians, is available on our website. 
Suicide Prevention Trainings for Groups
Our Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps is available to conduct FREE Question, Persuade, Refer trainings for businesses, faith groups, civic organizations, and other groups in our area. Last month, we held a virtual training for 32 staff members with La Conner School District as part of their scheduled professional development. We work with groups of 5 or more to set up an evidence-based training over Zoom that fits their needs and timing. Get started booking a free 60 or 90-minute training by filling out a simple interest form here.
What school staff members are saying about QPR: 
"This training dispelled myths and gave me confidence to be more direct if I see warning signs and am concerned for a student in the midst of crisis." - QPR participant, April 2021 
Out & About Nature Walks
Spending time in nature is a proven way to boost mental well-being and mood. Our new Skagit Nature Rx program is designed to make getting outdoors easy for adults of all ages. Experience the benefits for yourself by joining one of our free, group nature walk programs this spring! Explore local parks and trails over four program sessions and learn how to make the most of nature all around us. Learn more and sign up here.
Grow Where You are Planted
Eating fruits and veggies is good for your health and it turns out the act of growing them is healthy as well! Tap into the stress-relieving effects of gardening by joining the drop-in Cultivating Wellbeing program at the Concrete Community Garden. Work parties are happening the first and third Saturday of each month, May through September from 10 am to 1 pm. Attend at least three separate work parties (minimum one hour each) and receive free gardening supplies!
Want to know more? Contact Emily.Karmy@UnitedGeneral.org
WIC Works: Screening Pregnant & Parenting People at Risk for Depression
Whether it’s your first or fifth baby, each child brings along major life changes. Along with joy there can be new, sometimes difficult, emotions for many people. WIC helps identify and refer people experiencing or at risk for mental health challenges to services. Our caring staff takes the time to get to know WIC families and support whole-person health with a variety of resources. Not sure if WIC is right for you? Give us a call to learn more and apply at 360-854-0435.
Do you work with pregnant and parenting people in Washington? A FREE Best Practices in Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders training is being provided by Perinatal Support WA this June. Learn more and register here.
Mental Health Awareness Month Materials
Mental Health Awareness Month materials can also be found here in the Mental Health Promotion page of our new website. Adapting after Trauma & Stress and Taking Time for Yourself are just two of the helpful resources created by Mental Health America for you to use and share!