Mental health is an essential part of overall health, and it’s now more important than ever to support mental well-being for ourselves, our loved ones, and for our communities.  

Juggling work, family and financial stresses can be overwhelming even in the best of times.   The addition of social distancing, changes to work and family routines, and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can worsen existing mental health concerns and even trigger new symptoms.

Mental Health America, the non-profit advocacy organization that launched the observance, has announced that the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month 2020 is Tools to Thrive , and they have created an online toolkit.  We’d like to share parts of the toolkit that are especially relevant right now.   

Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

The information above was retrieved from MHM Mental Health Awareness Month 2020 toolkit