National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Awareness Day
June 27th, 2020
In 2010, the US Senate designated June 27th as National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. This day is a nationally recognized celebratory, research, and advocacy day that seeks to orient a greater focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its impact on an individual's overall health. On average, 70% of Americans experience a traumatic event. Of those who have endured a traumatic event, an average of 20% may develop lasting PTSD symptoms. PTSD can affect anyone dealing with trauma, and is not limited to veterans. In honor of PTSD Awareness Day, we encourage you to share your stories, embrace recovery, and connect with the National Center for PTSD
here.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administation (SAMHSA) staffs a National Helpline,
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
or TTY:
1-800-487-4889
,
a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
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Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Conditions range from depression to PTSD to eating disorders. If you’ve had trouble sleeping lately, if you’ve been experiencing racing thoughts, or if you’re just curious – the screens can help you understand more about your mental health. Following the screening, you will be provided with information, resources, and tools to help you understand and improve your mental health.
Take your screening test here.
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Minimizing your Risk of PTSD
from COVID-19
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Why do some people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in response to trauma while the majority do not? The answer lies with the number and strength of one’s coping skills. PTSD develops when the trauma of a huge stressor overwhelms someone’s ability to cope. Those who do develop symptoms of PTSD are not at fault. No one decides to be vulnerable. No one decides to be overwhelmed. People who become symptomatic with PTSD need practical assistance and supportive mental health care, not criticism.
Read this article from PsychCentral for 6 ways to help prevent PTSD during this unprecedented time.
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Things to Do in Georgia State Parks While Social Distancing this Summer
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Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites offer ideal locations to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor and family activities. From the mountains to the coastal marshes, you'll find every imaginable terrain, and every way to enjoy it. Not only are they closer to your home, they are closer to your interests and passions, too!
Check out all the activities available here.
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From Camping To Dining Out: Here's How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities
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It has been around two months of quarantine for many of us. The urge to get out and enjoy the summer is real. But what's safe? National Public Radio (NPR) asked a panel of infectious disease and public health experts to rate the risk of summer activities, from backyard gatherings to a day at the pool to sharing a vacation house with another household.
Read or listen to their segment here.
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Nominate KOTB as your Favorite Educational Program
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The Jimmie Johnson Foundation partnered with Blue Bunny again this year to help charities across the country! Individuals (18 years of age and older) can nominate a non-profit organization that directly supports K-12 public education for the opportunity to receive a $25,000 grant, a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party, and to have their logo featured on Jimmie’s helmet during a 2020 NASCAR Cup Series race. In addition, charities that currently provide services to school-age children, and have been directly impacted by COVID-19, are also eligible. A total of 5 organizations will be selected as Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grant recipients. Nominations will be accepted until
3:00pm ET on
Friday, June 5, 2020
.
Please consider taking a few minutes to nominate Kids on the Block (KOTB) as your favorite educational program so that we can continue educating our children virtually (for now).
To help you fill out the form more quickly, the information you need is
provided here
.
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Leadership Empowerment & Access Program
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LEAP is a youth development and leadership training program. It's goal is to support young people (16-26 years of age) master the ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses, set and achieve personal and vocational goals through training, apprenticeships and volunteering.
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If you or someone you know has a passion for youth development, apply to become a LEAP volunteer. We are looking for professionals in the Metro-Atlanta area, from diverse backgrounds who are willing to provide opportunities for career development for LEAP participants. There are many ways in which you can help; you can provide informational interviews and job shadowings or facilitate workshops, just to name a few. Click on the link above to apply.
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A message from the National Council for Behavioral Health
The National Council for Behavioral Health was instrumental in bringing Mental Health First Aid to the United States
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The National Council is pleased to announce that you will soon have the option to teach Mental Health First Aid virtually.
As America practices physical distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19, we must find new ways to provide people with the tools to support themselves and their communities. The virtual delivery option will better equip family, friends and neighbors to help one another during these difficult times.
How it Works
The new virtual delivery option includes a 2-hour self-paced course followed by 4 hours of Instructor led training delivered virtually through our learning management system (LMS). In order to provide adequate support for the students and maintain the efficacy of the course, a course led by one Instructor will be limited to 10 participants and a course lead by two co-Instructors will be limited to 20 participants.
What it will Include
The course will use our new curricula, including expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care. Youth MHFA will include content applicable for adults working with youth experiencing other stressors, including the impact of social media. All content is gender neutral and culturally relevant.
When it will be Available
MHFA USA is in the final stages of developing the virtual delivery of MHFA, and we are currently piloting the program in communities across the country. Our goal is to make the virtual option available to all Instructors this June.
Text Link
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Distance Learning
Over the past couple of months, we have been providing free virtual mental wellness webinars to help us all get through these trying times. Topics range from wellness support for families and caregivers to forums on the state's response to the mental health crisis.
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Impact of Coronavirus on Personal Health,Economic and Food Security, and Medicaid
Key Findings:
- Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are deferring medical care. Nearly half of adults (48%) say they or someone in their household have postponed or skipped medical care due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, as stay-at-home restrictions ease, most (68% of those who delayed care, or 32% of all adults) expect to get the delayed care in the next three months.
- About four in ten U.S. adults (39%) say worry or stress related to coronavirus has had a negative impact on their mental health, including 12% who say it has had a “major” impact. This is down slightly from early April when 45% reported a negative mental health impact. Yet, women continue to be more likely than men to say it is has negatively impacted their mental health (46% vs 33%) and urban (46%) and suburban (38%) residents are more likely than those in rural areas (28%) to say coronavirus has had a negative impact on their mental health. Among adults in households that experienced income or job loss due to the coronavirus outbreak (who make up one-third of adults overall), 46% say the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health.
- Three in ten adults (31%) say they have fallen behind in paying bills or had problems affording household expenses like food or health insurance coverage since February due to the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, one in four Americans (26%) say they or someone in their household have skipped meals or relied on charity or government food programs since February, including 16% who say this was due to the impact of coronavirus on their finances. The share who say they have skipped meals or relied on charity or government food programs due to coronavirus is higher among those in households that have lost a job or income due to coronavirus (30%) and among Black adults (30%) and Latinos (26%).
- As states consider spending cuts to address budget shortfalls caused or exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, it appears that many potential cuts will be unpopular among the public. At least three-quarters of adults oppose decreasing spending on K-12 public education (80%), police and safety (75%), and Medicaid (74%). Moreover, majorities oppose cutting spending on social services (60%), higher education (55%), prisons and jails (54%), and environmental protection (53%). Transportation is the only area which garners majority support for state budget cuts. Majorities of Democrats (85%), independents (73%), and Republicans (62%) oppose their state government decreasing spending on Medicaid.
- At a time when many newly unemployed Americans may turn to Medicaid for health insurance coverage, a majority of adults (55%) say the Medicaid program is personally important to them and their families and about one in four adults (23%) who are not currently on Medicaid say it is likely they or a family member will turn to Medicaid for health insurance in the next year. This share rises to 31% among those who lost income or whose spouse lost income due to the coronavirus outbreak. Two-thirds of adults in states that have not expanded Medicaid say their state should expand the program, including seven in ten adults (72%) in those states whose household experienced a job or income loss due to coronavirus.
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Every child in Georgia, especially our most vulnerable kids, need to eat healthy, stay safe, and continue to learn. This year, GeorgiaSummer.org features more resources than ever before to help families.
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In partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health, each month we will be highlighting mental health related clinical trials. We believe participating in clinical trials is very important as it progresses knowledge on mental health. Please consider contributing to this noble cause. Participation is always voluntary, free and sometimes even compensated.
Click each trial to learn more:
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Calling all Children, Tweens, and Teens of Georgia,
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
!
Voices for Georgia’s Children is interested in YOUR thoughts. We would like to know what makes kids feel safe, happy, and loved in their homes. We’ll use what you say to help adults understand something really important: How to make Georgia better for all kids!
Follow this link to learn more about the project and how to submit.
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Know someone with a passion for Mental Health?
Feel free to share this newsletter with them.
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