Moving Beyond Cancer in NOLA: Mental Health First Aid Monthly Newsletter

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As the temperature cools down and we approach the holiday season, it can be hard to keep track of your mental wellbeing. The winter months and holiday season tend to be a busy time for many people – and whether you’re traveling, visiting family or friends, or spending time at home it’s especially important during this time to make space for your mental health. We’re here to help with tips and resources from Mental Health First Aid.

This month, we launched teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) in person and online nationwide! tMHFA teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of a mental health or substance use challenge in their friends and peers. This evidence-based training is brought to you by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, and gives teens the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and to get help from a responsible and trusted adult. Learn how to bring tMHFA to your community by visiting the Mental Health First Aid website.

We also marked World Mental Health Day with an opportunity to unite as a community to make mental wellbeing a priority. The Forward Together pledge reflects our vision of making mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. We invite you to join us in moving Forward Together as we #BeTheDifference for those in need.

As a Mental Health First Aider, you play an important role simply by giving those around you hope. Having the latest information and resources about mental health and substance use challenges can help you support people around you and prevent a crisis situation.

Check out our social media channels for tips and resources every day – follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Pledge to Move Forward Together on World Mental Health Day 2021

Many of us are navigating feelings of frustration, uncertainty and exhaustion as the COVID-19 pandemic continues on. In honor of World Mental Health Day 2021, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing invites you to take a public pledge to unite as a community and move Forward Together to support those around us who need it most. Read more.

Bipolar Disorder: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions

Bipolar disorder is not as well understood as more common disorders like depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Debunking common myths and misconceptions can help break down the stigma surrounding a diagnosis that affects many and give you the tools to #BeTheDifference in your community. Read more.

	Five Tips to Turn Around a Stressful Day Everyone has tough days. How you handle the stress is what makes a difference, and your response can impact the trajectory of the rest of your day and week. Tips and resources from Mental Health First Aid can help you turn difficult days around and make the most of what’s ahead. Read more.

	How to Help a Friend Who is Being Bullied October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and you can use teen Mental Health First Aid to help your peers who are being bullied get the help and support they need. As a First Aider, you can lead by example and #BeTheDifference for your friends and classmates. Read more.

On October 8, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bills 14 and 224 into law. Together, these bills expand mental health education in schools and increase access to programs like tMHFA.

Thank you to all who attended the National Council’s Hill Day at Home last week! If you didn’t get a chance to join the event, you can still learn more about our advocacy asks and take action today – there’s still time to make a mark!

Sign up for National Council advocacy alerts and learn how you can take action to ensure equitable access to high-quality services, including Mental Health First Aid trainings. Take action when possible. This may include voting, spreading the word in your networks or writing to your legislators.

Wheeler, a community health center, received a federal Mental Health Awareness Training Emergency Services (MHAT-ES) grant to deliver MHFA training to emergency services and frontline personnel across Connecticut. Read more.

Recognizing an increase in mental health challenges among students, the University of Indianapolis is providing Mental Health First Aid training to campus police officers to help them respond to mental health or substance use challenge or crisis situations. Read more.

Triad colleges and universities in North Carolina are bringing Mental Health First Aid trainings to campus to ensure students are equipped to take care of their own mental health and support their peers in times of need. Read more.