Mental Health Awareness Month: May 2020
Mental Health Awareness Month is a nationally recognized celebratory, research, and advocacy month that seeks to orient a greater focus on mental health and its impact on an individual's overall health. Since 1949, our parent organization, Mental Health America, along with other affiliates have sought to inform people about mental health and the importance of access to behavioral health services, educate against harmful misconceptions that may be associated with mental illness. Beginning on May 11th, thru May 19th, Americans celebrate is National Anxiety + Depression Awareness Week. How will you fight the stigma associated with mental health?
|
|
Mental Health Awareness: How can I get assistance?
Mental Health is one of the most overlooked and under focused aspects of overall health. Here at Mental Health America of Georgia, we seek to fight the stigma associated with receiving mental health services while promoting educational resources which assist the greater community. Together we will fight the stigma and regain control of our mental health. National Mental Health America is offering free online screenings. You may access them
here. Together we can reach #MillioninMay! If you have any questions regarding your results, please reach out to Mental Health America
here.
|
|
COVID-19 and Mental Health
As Coronavirus continues to spread, coverage continues to dominate the media. As a result of the constant messaging it can have an impact on your well-being, especially teens.
For instance:
- Anxiety, stress, and panic increases in individuals due to the real (or perceived) threat of the virus
- Sleep patterns are disturbed, resulting in fatigue and higher susceptibility to illness in general
- Travel plans are cut short or canceled altogether, decreasing quality of life
- People stay at home instead of going out, furthering feelings of isolation and loneliness
- Keep things in perspective. Just because there's a lot of coverage doesn't mean you or your family are directly-threatened. The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is extremely low.
- Get the facts. Find credible and unbiased sources you can trust, like the CDC, your local public health facilities or your family physician.
- Speak with your children. Talk about the news coverage with honest and age-appropriate information. Remember that children observe behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own feelings.
- Stay connected. Social networks can foster a sense of normality and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. Share helpful information from government websites and other unbiased sources with friends and family.
- Seek additional help. Individuals overwhelmed with nervousness, sadness, or other prolonged reactions that are affecting job/school performance or personal relationships should speak with a trained and experienced mental health expert.
Here is a helpful link from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which outlines what you can do to support your mental health in the midst of a health crisis.
For additional resources please check out our
COVID-19 page as we add new, reliable, and reputable resources.
|
|
Leadership Empowerment & Access Program
|
|
LEAP is a pilot 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
The
Mental Health Academy
is a mental health awareness training program designed to increase mental health literacy and improve mental health outcomes for Georgians. If you are interested in hosting a training please contact
Erin Clayton
at
MHAG@mhageorgia.org
or
770-741-1489.
|
|
OWL Seminars
explore different mental health topics including mental wellness, stress management, maternal mental health, building resilience in youth and much more. The flexibility of the program allows for groups to identify specific topics to learn, including suicide prevention, crisis support and trauma. If you are interested in hosting an OWL seminar, please visit our
website here
.
|
|
QPR
stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
QPR can be learned in our Gatekeeper course in as little as one hour. If you are interested in providing a QPR course in your community, please contact Erin Clayton at
MHAG@mhageorgia.org
or 770-741-148
9.
|
|
Would you like to participate in Mental Health Education within the comforts of your own home?
During this time of uncertainty, we will be offering mental health awareness webinars at no cost to participants. Please see our schedule below (click the links to register). Together we can help our communities through this difficult time.
Outreach Wellness Learning (OWL) Webinars
COVID-19 Series
Mental Wellness During COVID-19
Managing Wellness for Youth & Young Adults
Managing Self-Care During COVID-19
Wellness Supports for Children and Teenagers During COVID-19
Outreach Wellness Learning (OWL) Webinars
Mental Health 101
Mental Health 101 for Youth (14-24)
Mental Health Crisis
Building Resilience in Youth
My Life is a Gift: Suicide Prevention
Maternal Mental Health
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Webinars
Thursday, May 7, 2020 12 PM - 1:15 PM
Here
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 2 PM - 3:15 PM
Here
Friday, May 15, 2020 12 PM - 1:15 PM
Here
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 11 AM - 12:15 PM
Here
|
|
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. Included in the CARES Act, The Paycheck Protection Program offers loans for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, select types of businesses with fewer than 1,500 employees, 501(c)(3) non-profits with fewer than 500 workers and some 501(c)(19) veteran organizations. The passing of the CARES Act, provides reassurance for small business, and non-profits like us, forward to assist the community and provide financial protection for our employees.
Support us by thanking Congress and urging the continued support for COVID-19 relief for those have been left out of the CARES Act, and in need of immediate assistance, such as 211, EITC and Child Tax Credit expansion, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, SNAP and more.
On April 15th, many Americans received an IRS Stimulus Payment by direct deposit. Unfortunately, a large portion of Americans faced difficulty receiving this assistance. The IRS has created a helpful portal system to check on the status of your payment. You can check your status
here.
|
|
On May 5th, join us in celebrating GA Gives Day in partnership with #GivingTuesday in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Here at MHA of Georgia, as we continue to support communities virtually, we need your support to continue our ongoing efforts.
Join us for a 24-hour Virtual Trivia Fundraiser.
For $30 you can enter solo or with a team to participate in Trivia for wellness. Trivia is a good way to keep the brain strong and well during this time of uncertainty. Your support will allow us to maintain operations and continue support of mental health and wellness trainings. This year we have:MHA of Georgia
- Trained more than 500 law enforcement and public school personnel in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), and Outreach Wellness Learning Seminars (OWL)
- Trained over 1,000 individuals during the COVID-19 Health Crisis in wellness strategies to reduce worry and sustain good mental health.
We need YOUR help to continue providing these courses for free to Georgians in order to help reduce the mental health fallout of this crisis.
|
|
OR
Text “GIVE” to (404) 902-3569
|
|
Georgia Responds
Amidst all that is going in our beloved State of Georgia and the world as a whole, volunteering is all the more important and impact
ful.
Georgia Responds (Georgia Department of Public Health [DPH])
, the organization representing Georgia’s health and medical volunteer programs, and the simplest way to give back to your community. Less paperwork. More helping. Whether you are a health care provider, an administrative specialist, a retired professional – anyone ready to help in your community –
Georgia needs you.
Medical volunteers may be used to answer medical questions coming into the COVID-19 hotline or assist at test specimen collection sites. Non-medical volunteers may be used in administrative roles at either the call center or test collection sites or provide interpretation or other skills as needed.
Broaden your horizons and register
here
or contact LaKieva Williams via
email.
|
|
Leona Ardoin is our new LEAP Program Advisor. She is originally from North Carolina and after spending several years living in Phoenix, AZ she moved to Atlanta, GA in 2005. She continued working with at risk youth and families in the community as she had done while living in Phoenix. Leona lives in Southwest Atlanta with her two children, daughter-13 and son-9, with their 2 dogs, Roxie and Lola. Traveling, yoga, reading and music festivals keep her busy outside of work
.
|
|
 |
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:
|
|
|
|
Join us on Saturday, July 11th, 2020 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, for our
Annual Fight the Stigma Soiree: Old Hollywood at the Porsche Experience Center for a buffet style dinner, dancing and so much more. This event will benefit the development of a Puppet Prevention program
, WISE (Wellness is for Everyone), to improve social emotional health for children.
In light of the evolving COVID-19 health crisis, Mental Health America of Georgia Board of Directors in agreement with the Porsche Center has made the conscious decision to reschedule this years’ Annual Fight the Stigma Soiree
from May 16, 2020, to July 11, 2020
. MHA of GA is committed to the safety and health of all our guests.
|
|
Community Partner Spotlight
|
|
Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Virtual Recovery Meetings. GCSA is privileged to be of service to the Georgia recovery community.
GCSA Virtual All Recovery Meeting Information
If you are looking to join zoom meeting via laptop click hyperlink below
Meeting ID: 695 949 293
If you are looking to join via telephone dial 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 695 949 293
|
|
Know someone with a passion for Mental Health?
Feel free to share this newsletter with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
