May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means it’s the perfect time to help your community become more aware of the mental health crisis our country is facing.
If you’re passionate about mental health, but not sure of how you can help, here are five easy ways to promote mental health in your neighborhood.
- Reach out to local and state officials
If you’re eager to see real change in mental health policy, start reaching out to your local and state officials.Unfortunately, many elected officials aren’t educated on mental health issues, so take this month as an opportunity to provide them with resources they can benefit from.
SAMHSA offers great resources to help you get started, including a Mayor’s guide to behavioral health issues.
- Start a conversation in your community
Just starting the conversation about mental health problems in a community can do more than you might think. Mental health can be a difficult topic to bring up, so for ideas on how to start a conversation, download MentalHealth.gov’s official conversation starting Toolkit.
- Volunteer with local organizations
You might not know it, but odds are your community is full of great mental health organizations and recovery centers that desperately need volunteers. This month, challenge yourself to take some time out of your day and get involved with local organizations that improve mental health for all.
- Host a mental health screening event
Many of us got to a doctor or dentist for a yearly checkup, but very few Americans ever get a checkup on their mental health.
You can change this by hosting a mental health screening event. These events are easy to put together, and get the conversation started about mental health. Visit the Screening for Mental Health webpage for more information on how to get started.
- Change your vocabulary
There are still easy ways to promote mental health in your community, even if you don’t have time or money to donate. One way is to simply change the way you think and speak about mental health.
Encourage yourself and your family and friends to stop using hurtful vocabulary. Words like “insane” and “crazy” have become common phrases, but they only perpetuate the stigma around mental health. This month, do your best to eliminate them.
If you’re interested in truly making a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health, consider becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). To learn more about your options, contact Odyssey Center today.You can speak with a member of our knowledgeable staff to find out more information on the training we provide.