When I was growing up, the words “mental health” or “wellness” were nothing I remember hearing in school. And sadly, like many others, my concepts of mental illness were informed by movies, TV or other cultural “norms” that unfairly portrayed those with mental health disorders on a spectrum from the comical to the dangerous. Our culture and society has come a long way from the days of institutionalizing and criminalizing those who live with mental illness, but the stigma and inequities still exist and are very real barriers to those who need the help and support to live full and rich lives. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and since 1949 people and organizations across the United States have used this month as an opportunity to raise awareness, promote recovery and foster a spirit of resilience in order to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is proud to offer the following resources and opportunities for learning, advocacy, teaching and connection. We hope that you will “Take The Pledge” and engage with us this month and throughout the year. May is Mental Health Awareness Month but every day each of us have an opportunity to work towards stopping the stigma associated with mental health.
Brandon Beachamp, Ed.M., LMHC
Director, School Mental Health Resource and Training Center
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
By challenging yourself and others to take the pledge, we are working together to normalize the conversation with mental health.
When you take the pledge, you will gain access to a Mental Health Toolkit with resources to engage with and share.
Be sure to share the graphic to the left to help us further support mental health.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, MHANYS is offering a series of
School Mental Health Resource and Training Center -Lunch and Learn Series
Thursdays, May 5th, 12th, and 19th from 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
30-minute sessions focused on supporting student mental health through connection and collaboration. We will hear from a school counselor, nurse and a Parent-Partner liaison and the ways we can work together to address the challenges our students are facing and to promote good mental health.
Understanding and Managing Stress in High School Students
Monday, May 16th from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Identifying and understanding the causes and impacts of stress on teens. Supporting teen mental health as they develop skills to manage everyday stress.
Mental Health and Wellness 101
Wednesday, May 11th from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Increase basic knowledge of mental health to help reduce stigma. Understand Mental Health as a continuum of wellness that defines us every day — it is illness, recovery and all of the space in between. Promote wellness, treatment seeking behavior, recovery and self-care.
A Community Mental Health Approach for Working with Immigrant
Populations: Tuesday, May 17th from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Learn the history and present circumstances shaping the need for community mental health with immigrant populations; the processes to meaningfully and effectively engage with diverse communities; and strategies for intercultural/ intergenerational communication and combating cultural mental health stigma.
Mental Health and Wellness 101 in the Workplace
Tuesday, May 24th from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Increase basic knowledge of mental health to help reduce stigma in the workplace. Understand Mental Health as a continuum of wellness that defines us every day — it is illness, recovery and all of the space in between. Promote wellness and support recovery in the workplace.
REGISTER HERE
Register for our upcoming webinar!
Supporting Teens After High School: Tips for Helping Students Navigate What’s Next
Wednesday May 25, 2022 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Congratulations! Your teen graduated high school… now what?
Join the conversation on May 25th from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. We will hear from mental health professionals and youth voices on how to be proactive and support teen mental health as they start their next journey after high school.
Panelists will share their insight as mental health champions and youth with first hand experience navigating life after high school and provide some insight on how to proactively support your student and set them up for success in whatever path they choose after graduation.
Mindy Stecklow, MS – Counselor at Oceanside High School
Melissa Martin, LMSW – Counselor at SUNY Broome
Nova Shek – Student at Union College
Emily Chan – Student at University of Rochester
For Educators: Lesson Plan*”We All Have Mental Health
Looking for a way to incorporate mental health awareness into your classroom for May? In these k-12 lesson plans, you can focus on the multiple dimensions of health, the identification and expression of feelings, understanding self-care, the development of coping strategies and recognizing when and how to access help.
Beyond Bake Sales: Meaningful Parent Engagement in Schools
In this article, read the authors take on meaningful family engagement in schools, with ideas highlighted for parents to utilize to help make their efforts more meaningful. Included within, is TEDx Talk video of Veronica Crespin-Palmer, a teacher, mother and leader. She uses her family’s story and her experience as a teacher to boost parent involvement, especially in minority communities.
CLICK HERE
The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center is a project of Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. with funding from the New York State Legislature and Executive.
194 Washington Ave. Suite 415
Albany, NY 12210
United States
schools@mhanys.org ~ (518)434-0439
