During the month of May, there is a national movement to raise awareness about mental health to reduce the stigma and in the Den this month we are focusing our activities around the theme of Mental Health. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is an incredibly important part of our overall health, and well-being. This week our counselors are collaborating with school leadership in highlighting Mental Health with several different offerings for students outlined below. We invite everyone to think about their own mental health and consider what they do to keep mentally fit, and take steps to implement their own plan for good mental health. Join us in the Den this week and support your own Mental Health.
Please Sign up in advance for our Mental Health Education Workshop being held on Friday.
The sign-up sheet is in the Den!
Monday, May 9th, before school @ 8:10 AM: Join us for brief discussion on tips for managing strong feelings, and gain tools to help you keep your calm.
Monday, May 9th, during lunches: In the Den we will have an assortment of books that support good mental health, spend some of your lunch reading about ways to improve your Mental Health in the Den.
Tuesday May 10th during lunches: Join us in gaining awareness of your feelings through an art activity during lunch.
Wednesday May 11th during lunches: Learn about replacement behaviors for bad habits you want to let go of, and learn how to build new healthy routines for yourself and sustain them. Join us for a short lesson and discussion group, and
Thursday, May 12th, before school @ 8:10 AM: Discover ways to help yourself become more focused, and eliminate distractions and practice a beginning meditation on keeping your focus.
Thursday, May 12th, during lunch: Learn about having a balance of work and fun for good mental health, and have some fun with friends in the Den today by playing a game. Remember that having fun is important too!
Friday, May 13th, before school @ 8:10 AM: Gain more well-being by learning to celebrate the small wins, and build momentum with your own positive actions.
Friday, May 13th, during lunch: We are sharing a presentation on Mental Health and what a person can do to keep good mental health. Please sign up in advance on the sign-up sheet in the Den.
Friday May 13 Afterschool from 3:00PM- 3:45PM: Drop in Social Skills group. This week’s topic is Empathy. Gain practice in building more empathy in your relationships. Join us for a small group discussion and activity.
For Parents, Students and Educators:
Ten Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health from the University of Michigan.
https://uhs.umich.edu/tenthings
This a video clip of 10 Common Warning Signs of a Mental Health Condition from NAMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt4sOjWwV3M
Here is a link to Mental Health Resources from Orange County Department of Education:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mh/mhresources.asp
For Parents
An article: How to Talk to Your Child About Their Mental Health.
https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/How-to-Talk-to-Your-Child-About-Their-Mental-Health
