Nurturing Mental Wellness
May is Mental Health Month and we are joining the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health America, and organizations across the country in raising awareness of the important role mental health plays in our lives.
We live in a rapidly changing world that can be complex to navigate. About half of Americans can remember a time when we were not constantly connected and it was easier to tune out the noise of the world, while the younger half of the population can’t imagine life without the internet.
Modern life can have a significant impact on mental health — for better or for worse. The disturbing imagery in the media we are exposed to today can be deeply unsettling. The increasing impacts of climate change on our everyday lives are a source of anxiety for many. At the same time, our current technology also allows us to mobilize and provide collective support more efficiently in times of natural disasters or injustice.
And ironically, while our devices make us more connected than ever, loneliness is an increasingly serious public health concern. We can have conversations with friends and family on the other side of the world in real time. However, constant connection also means that we will know if we weren’t invited to a friend’s party down the street. Recent survey data show that more than half of U.S. adults (58%) are lonely.
Throughout the month of May, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be highlighting the importance of nurturing mental health and wellness for all:
As we age, we may experience life changes that impact our mental health.
Staying engaged is great for mental well-being, especially when we are older. Nurturing your connections with loved ones, joining a social group, or volunteering for something you care about is helpful to feel active and connected. Embracing movement through walks, yoga, or dancing also benefits both body and mind. Challenging yourself with brain teasers, exploring a new hobby, or learning something new helps to keep the mind sharp.
It’s never too late to get help.
It is important to remember that older adults may have different mental health symptoms. For example, a lack of interest in some activities.
Talking about mental health can help older adults feel more comfortable asking for support.
Mental health treatment can be part of a wellness program to help older adults live happy and fulfilling lives.
Mental health professionals can help older adults cope with life changes.
Friends and family can experience meaningful mutual connection by spending time visiting with older adults.
Mental health is important at every age. Spending time with friends and family can boost older adults’ mental and physical health.
Supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.
By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.
Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.
Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.
Pregnancy and giving birth can be joyful and can also present a variety of strong emotions for pregnant and postpartum people.
Strong emotions may include feeling overwhelmed, scared, tired, worried, and inadequate. Depression, anxiety, and other symptoms during and after pregnancy are common and treatable. They affect new parents of every culture, age, gender, race, and income level.
For many people, these feelings go away on their own, in time. But for some, these emotions are more serious and require assistance. Help is available. You are not alone. Asking for help can help keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
Unaddressed maternal health issues can lead to pregnancy-related death and unintentional harm to you or your baby.
Proper self-care and seeking help when you need it can help you maintain good mental health.
Everyone deserves access to respectful and culturally appropriate care.
Members of racial and ethnic minority groups experience challenges that may require unique mental health support.
Cultural differences should be respected and celebrated when providing mental health support.
Mental health care providers are encouraged to consider the cultural nuances and needs of the diverse communities they serve.
Addressing and reducing barriers to treatment are the first steps to building more equitable health systems.
Together, we can improve access to mental health care for people from racial and ethnic minority groups.
Inclusive families, schools, and societies can support mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Family support is important for the well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth: it can reduce their risk for depression, substance use, suicide, and other mental health challenges.
Schools and workplaces can protect LGBTQIA+ people by building more supportive and inclusive environments.
Social support, including from friends, families, and communities can help LGBTQIA+ people feel loved and accepted.
Peer support can be a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ people facing mental health issues.
Acknowledging and celebrating the identities of LGBTQIA+ people helps build their self-confidence and emotional well-being.
Need Immediate Help In A Crisis?
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial or text 988 if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis and get connected to a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis counselors listen empathetically and without judgment. Your crisis counselor will work to ensure that you feel safe and help identify options and information about mental health services in your area.
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741-741
Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - Call 833-TLC-MAMA (852-6262)
24/7, free, confidential hotline for pregnant and new moms in English and Spanish. Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many new moms feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after the baby is born.
Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But if these feelings last for more than two weeks, and make it hard to carry out daily tasks, like caring for themselves or their family, a mom may have perinatal depression or anxiety. These are common and treatable health conditions during or after pregnancy. And that's why a new mom, or those supporting them, should reach out right away for help.
National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services. Crisis chat support is available at Online Hotline. Free help, 24/7.
The Trevor Project – Call 866-488-7386 or Text START to 678-678
Supporting LGBTQ young people during times of crisis by providing access to crisis counselors 24/7, 365 days a year. Crisis chat support is available at Crisis Chat.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Additional Mental Health Resources
The NAMI HelpLine National Resource Directory is the nation’s largest mental health resource database providing over 600 mental health resources identified by peers and families as helpful. Each resource is national in scope and meets the needs of people served by NAMI. If you are facing a challenge, reach out to the HelpLine or use this directory to help guide you.
NAMI Maine Helpline Call - 800-464-5767… & Press #1
The NAMI Maine Helpline is a referral line that offers mental health resources, information, and support. Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prefer Email? helpline@namimaine.org
Maine Teen Text Support Line 207-515-TEXT (8398) Every day from 2pm - 10pm EST.
This peer support text line is for Maine youth 13 - 24 years old and is staffed by individuals ages 18 - 24. Please note, the Teen Text Support Line is not a crisis line. In addition, the Teen Text Support Line cannot support users with international phone numbers.
This free downloadable guide from The Yellow Tulip Project created by young people for young people provides creative tips for self-care and nurturing mental wellness.
NAMI also offers a number of free resources to support individuals and families on their journey towards mental wellness, including
NAMI Basics: A free, six-session education program for parents, caregivers, and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 22 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms.
NAMI Family-to-Family: A free, eight-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions.
NAMI Family & Friends: A free 90-minute or four-hour seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to best offer support.
NAMI Homefront: A free, six-session program for families, caregivers, and friends of military members and veterans with mental health conditions. Plus, find free online resources available 24/7.
NAMI In Our Own Voice: Free presentations that provide a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition.
Finding a sense of calm and focusing on well-being when you are having mental health concerns can be daunting in our fast-paced society. It can be especially challenging to know where to start.
We are encouraging members of the community to take action toward protecting their mental health and overall well-being:
LEARN how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world.
ACT by building a personal coping toolbox to manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.
ADVOCATE to improve mental health for themselves, the ones they love, and their community.
Check out these additional resources from Mental Health America:
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition and are unsure of where to start, take a free, private mental health test at mhascreening.org to determine next steps.
It’s important to remember that working on your mental health takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of modern life and develop long-term strategies to support yourself — and others — on an ongoing basis.