Mental Health First Aid September Newsletter

To view this email as a web page, click here   Hello, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) family! As summer comes to a close, it can be challenging to refocus your energy and get back into the swing of things. Following months of record-breaking heat, unprecedented levels of burnout and the seemingly nonstop news cycle, paying special attention to self-care can help make things more manageable – even enjoyable. This month, we’ve been sharing information on how to tend to your own mental wellbeing and help those around you so you can continue to #BeTheDifference. Sign up for the new MHFA Digest to get the latest blogs, news and updates delivered directly to your inbox so you never miss a post. Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the know on all things MHFA!     An Introduction to Mental Wellbeing We are bombarded with messages about our physical health. Commercials hawk the latest diet programs or supplements, magazines boast the best workout routines, and subway ads remind you to see your doctor for a physical. These messages usually ignore a very important aspect of our overall health – our mental wellbeing. Often, how we care for our body can overlap with how we care for our mind. Read more.     Thinking About Professional Help? Here’s Where to Start Life can be challenging at times. Everyone experiences feelings like anxiety, sadness and stress now and then. While these feelings are common, it’s important to recognize when they may be interfering with your daily life. If you feel overwhelmed by emotions or experiences, know that you are not alone. Nearly one in five adults in the United States experience a mental health or substance use challenge each year. The right treatment can help you manage your day-to-day life and make mental wellbeing – including recovery from substance use challenge – a reality. Read more.     An Essential Education: Mental Health First Aid for Emerging Adults As young adults carve out their place in the world, their new interests and pursuits often push them away from the scaffolding of the familiar, leaving many feeling untethered as they transition to adulthood. Youth who have experienced trauma or identify as part of marginalized populations may be particularly vulnerable. MHFA National Trainer Valerie English Cooper shares insight on how emerging adults can stay well. Read more.     Seven Self-care Tips for College Students As summer ends and college students return to online or in-person campuses, getting back into the swing of academic life can be challenging. In 2021, 48% of college students reported moderate or severe psychological stress, 53% reported being lonely and 26% had considered suicide. It’s important for students to practice self-care to reduce stress, avoid burnout and maintain and enhance overall health and wellbeing. Read more.     5 Ways Employee Vacations Have Bottom-line Benefits Taking time off from work has immense benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing. According to the American Psychological Association, extended time off can increase life satisfaction, improve mental wellbeing, reduce heart disease risks and reduce anxiety and depression. But we often don’t take time off! On average, 55% of Americans do not use all their paid time off. And more than half (52%) of employees with paid leave have worked during their time off. Read more.     Calling all first responders and public safety personnel: Register for free MHFA Essentials webinars The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance National Training and Technical Assistance Center (BJA NTTAC), is offering MHFA Public Safety Mental Health 101 training to first responders and public safety personnel free of charge. Join a discussion on mental wellbeing and learn to identify signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges, as well as things to consider when starting conversations in the community and workplace. Learn more here and register now for a date and time that works for you!     If MHFA has helped in your or a loved one’s recovery journey, we want to hear from you! Let us know how MHFA has made recovery a reality in your life for a chance to be featured on our blog and social media channels.       As youth across America head back to school, MHFA’s Client Experience Officer Tramaine EL-Amin sat down with Denver7 to discuss how teachers are helping students navigate mental health challenges. The article highlights Mental Health First Aid as a national program that is helping teachers better understand and respond to students in need. “It doesn’t teach you to become a therapist or do any type of therapy, but it does teach you how to start that conversation," EL-Amin said. Read more.     This Stamford Advocate article discusses how the city is addressing the youth mental health crisis through its Youth Mental Health Alliance, a collaboration of 20 organizations in the city, including the mayor’s office, the school district and the police department. The alliance has begun offering services including MHFA training to groups to help provide a community approach and quickly get those in need to appropriate care. Read more.     In Rochester, N.Y., the YMCA partnered with the University of Rochester Medical Center to offer YMHFA training to YMCA camp staff. Rochester First.com reports that the initiative began in the spring to help camp leaders better accommodate the youth they serve. “COVID really changed the world for these kids, and camp has shown us what it means to support kids through this mental health crisis,” said Heather Hayes, camp director for YMCA Bay View. Read more.