COVID-19 is impacting everyone in different ways. Children and youth may not be going to school or daycare, can’t see their friends on a regular basis, and might not be able to even play outside. Kids sometimes do not know how to communicate changes in feeling and emotion, making it vital that parents and caregivers pay close attention to their behavior and words for any […]
COVID-19 is impacting people of all ages across the country, including children and youth. Kids are not attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities, or seeing their friends in the same way they once did — and it’s taking a toll on their emotional and mental well-being. In May, a Gallup Panel poll found 29% of parents of school-aged children said their children were “already experiencing […]
Starting a new school year is an exciting time but can also be a stressful one. Preparing for a new grade level, joining a new classroom and making new friends can cause feelings of anxiety and fear. This year adds COVID-19 to the mix, as children and youth face challenges such as physical distancing in schools and virtual learning. That’s why it is important that […]
We often talk about mental health challenges as if they’re only faced by adults. However, youth and young adults also face mental health challenges, and their experiences will be different than adults’. According to the Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum, approximately 20% of children and youth ages 13-18 face a mental health challenge or disorder that significantly impacts their lives. Some are mild and […]
If you or someone you care about feel overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor. […]
For many of us, Summer 2020 seems busier than other summers. We may be working from home, with our children at home with us, and typical family outdoor activities are canceled because of COVID-19. Close quarters and the departure from “normal” can cause increased feelings of stress and worry for all members of the family. That makes it important to have healthy habits in place […]
COVID-19 has impacted millions of families across the country. Many of us are now working from home, with our children home and away from school. Your kids may be worried, confused or scared about what is happening around the world and why. It’s important to answer their questions and reassure them that they are safe. Use these tips from the Child Mind Institute to guide […]
Having a routine can make you feel more grounded and prepared for the day ahead. “Carrying out routine activities reduces stress by making the situation appear more controllable and predictable,” said Indumathi Bendi, a primary care physician at Piedmont Healthcare. As it reduces stress, your routine can also benefit your mental and physical health. Eating habits, exercise patterns, sleep schedules and more can impact how […]
Police officers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, faced with enforcing the law while potentially confronting the coronavirus. Although in some places crime rates are dropping because of physical distancing, police officers continue to work long and tiring hours with the risk of insufficient personal protective gear. Despite this, there are more than 790,000 police officers protecting our communities and neighborhoods across the […]
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor. […]
Thank you for continuing to be a champion for Mental Health First Aid! More than 2.5 million people are better equipped to help their family, friends and neighbors as Mental Health First Aiders. As COVID-19 is changing our daily reality, there is an important need for MHFA to be available virtually. The National Council is pleased to announce that we are preparing to release a […]
If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others call 911. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor. […]
You may not realize it, but seasonal changes can impact both physical and mental health . As the temperature starts to drop and there is less natural sunlight, we are at risk of getting not only the flu, but also seasonal affective disorder – or SAD – a type of depression. SAD, more commonly referred to as seasonal depression, is depression that strikes during the […]
“I knew the birth of my children would change me as a person, but I had no idea it would completely turn my world upside down. It was terrifying and overwhelming, and I can confidently say it was the most difficult year-and-a-half of my life.” Deanna Silva faced postpartum depression 15 months after giving birth to twins. Not only was her routine and sleep schedule […]
One in five teens has had a serious mental health disorder at some point in their life. And suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. It’s critical that we help teens in every way we can, and this starts with the teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) pilot program. Earlier this year, we partnered with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way […]
“While notable shares [of teens] say they at times feel overwhelmed by the drama on social media and pressure to construct only positive images of themselves, they simultaneously credit these online platforms with several positive outcomes – including strengthening friendships, exposing them to different viewpoints and helping people their age support causes they care about,” according to a survey by Pew Research Center. By age […]
Youth Mental Health First Aid Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact […]
Lady Gaga Announces teen Mental Health First Aid Pilot Program Will Expand to 20 Additional High Schools “With teen Mental Health First Aid, we like to say, it’s okay to not be okay,” Lady Gaga said onstage in Las Vegas. Watch her speak with teen Mental Health First Aiders. LAS VEGAS, Nev. (June 11, 2019) – Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and the National […]
Specialized training to become available for pharmacists industry-wide through Walgreens commitment to workplace wellness and the health and well-being of communities DEERFIELD, Ill., May 1, 2019 – As the most accessible health care providers in the community, and also among the most trusted, pharmacists can play an important role as part of patients’ care teams to help address the growing need for mental health resources. […]
“My eldest brother had not really been with us for many years. We had been losing him a little bit at a time to a disease we had long held off giving a name. We didn’t know what to call it. Sometimes we thought we knew, other times we felt blind. We held back from labels, organized dinner without wine when it seemed prudent, with […]
