NEW:Mental Health First Aid Monthly Newsletter

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We often talk about the advantages of practicing self-care and how it can boost your mental health and wellbeing. With COVID-19 changing the way we do most things, it’s no surprise that how we do self-care has changed too. The pandemic has also made it especially important to check-in with yourself and your mental health. A recent survey by Samueli Integrative Health Programs and The Harris Poll found that 80% of respondents “intend to be more mindful about regular self-care after the pandemic, and 64% were focused on their mental health now more than ever.” Before the pandemic, you may have gone out to eat or treated yourself to a spa day – now self-care may look more like watching your favorite show, saying words of affirmation daily, sleeping early so you feel better rested, or having a virtual game night with your friends. Your self-care plan does not have to be extravagant or expensive, but it should serve as an investment in your long-term wellness. It should help you safely alleviate stress and recenter yourself. That’s why this month, we shared tips and resources to help you create your own self-care plan or refresh your existing one. We encourage you to explore the information we’ve shared below so that you can #BeTheDifference for yourself and your mental well-being. Be sure to check out our blog and social media channels for daily information and tips – follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!     Get that Sh*t Out Campaign The National Council partnered with Bioré® Skincare to bring Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings to college campuses nationwide! The campaign, “Get That Sh*t Out,” aims to clear the way to address the mental health of college students in communities across the country. Bioré Skincare and the National Council will work together to reach students from at least 100 colleges with MHFA training.     Tips from the Curriculum     The Sunday Blues: A Guide to Help You Understand and Overcome Them  The end of the weekend brings about many feelings: anxiety, irritability and stress to name a few. But your Sundays don’t have to be so blue, and we offer some tips to help you reclaim your day and relive those feelings before you start the new week Read more.   How to Ask Your Boss for a Mental Health Day Recent data show that Americans are actually working more despite the changes that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s taking a toll on mental health. Taking a mental health day is a great way to care for your mental well-being, and we share tips for requesting some time off. Read more.   How to Take Care of Yourself When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed We all feel overwhelmed at some point in our lives, but it’s important to take care of yourself when things feel stressful. Revisiting your self-care plan is a great option, and we include some other ways you can find some relief when you’re feeling the squeeze. Read more.     Four Simple Tips to Help You Manage Anxiety Related to COVID-19 COVID-19 has many Americans feeling more stressed and anxious than usual and taking care of your mental health is more important now more than ever. To make things easier, we provide helpful tips and resources to help you manage your COVID-19 related anxiety. Read more.     ALGEE in the News     Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is providing virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trainings through spring 2021 in response to teens’ worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.     A recovery center in Brazos Valley, TX., is hosting weekly MHFA courses to educate members of the community and try and fight stigma against mental health. Read more.     Educators in Glenville, WV., took YMHFA in order to know the early signs of mental distress and better serve the adolescents they teach. Read more.     Thank you for choosing to #BeTheDifference, Mental Health First Aid USA     The  National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced  Mental Health First Aid USA  and 2 million Americans have been trained. For more information, please visit  www.TheNationalCouncil.org.