Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

#MoreForMentalHealth

It's time to demand #MoreForMentalHealth. 📢

The AFSP explains that the reason for this years campaign is because

"We need improved access to support, services, and understanding. Get involved by encouraging more openness and advocating for the legislation that we know through research – save lives."

"You may not think of yourself as an advocate, but if you care about mental health, the time has come to move things forward, and champion the policies we all need to support our friends, family, community and the rest of the country."

What You Can Do to Help?

For Yourself

• Open up to someone close to you about something that you’ve been coping with
• Identify three simple self-care activities that work for you, like exercising, meditating, or journaling
• Schedule a check-up to talk to a doctor about your mental health, as well as your physical health
• Add crisis resource numbers to your phone and encourage a loved one to do the same

For the People in Your Life

• Let people in your life know you’re a safe person to talk to about mental health, and actively listen and engage when someone comes to you for help
• Connect people in your life who have shared interests, such as music, gaming, sports, art and more!

For Your Community

• Advocate for mental health policies that ensure that everyone in your community has access to mental health care, suicide prevention training, and funding for local crisis resources
• Get involved with your local AFSP chapter, or join an Out of the Darkness Walk, and help transform your community into one that’s smart about mental health, where everyone has support when they need it
• Bring an AFSP mental health education, research or support program to your school, workplace, or community center

Want to learn more?

If you need Immediate help:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1‑800‑273‑TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat

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.

SAMHSA National Helpline – 1‑800‑662-HELP (1‑800‑662‑4357)

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.

Depression Resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
• MentalHealth.gov
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• WebMD Depression Health Center