May Is Mental Health Month: Each Mind Matters

A ribbon to wear and information about the Each Mind Matters Campaign.

May is Mental Health Month from Rene Santiago

 Message from René G. Santiago 

May is Mental Health Matters Month. Our Behavioral Health Services Department has been leading efforts to help reduce the stigma around mental health. Stigma is when someone views a person in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. Some people describe stigma as a feeling of shame or being judged by someone else. Fighting stigma is key to getting people the care they need and preventing suicides. 

Last year the department conducted a successful campaign geared towards middle aged men, the group with the highest suicide rate in Santa Clara County. The Suicide Prevention communication work group used research to learn what messages and images would work best. This was important to reducing the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues. During the campaign the percentage of calls from these men to the Suicide and Crisis Hotline doubled. Because it was so successful, the campaign is set to run again. 

The department is also working on a number of initiatives to encourage youth in our community to seek help. Since young people text more than make phone calls, a text crisis line will be added to Crisis and Suicide Hotline services. A social media campaign to young people will also be launched this summer. It’s a bit of a myth that more people attempt suicide in the winter and over the holidays. Unfortunately, suicides are attempted by all groups all year long. 

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. 1 in 5 Americans will be affected by a mental health condition in their lifetime and every American is affected or impacted through their friends and family. To help anyone in our community access services for themselves, family or friends, the department will be implementing a one phone number point of entry. This will go a long way in helping people get to the services they need. 

Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the 10th leading cause of death for all Americans. These numbers demonstrate why these activities and so many other initiatives taken on by our Behavioral Health Services Department and their partners are so important to the health and well-being of our community. 

You can help to reduce stigma and raise awareness about the importance of mental health. When you are posting or tweeting, spread the word by showing #MillionsLikeMe. You can also learn more about collaborative efforts at http://www.eachmindmatters.org/ 

Booklet Review: Be True and Be You: A Basic Mental Health Guide for LGBTQ Teens

This is a booklet sponsored by Each Mind Matters, a California Mental Health Movement.  IS has some very good information about coping with mental illness.
It reveals some mental health myths: "People with mental illnesses are just weak and need to 'snap out of it.'"  Mental illnesses are illnesses just like any other illness.  They are caused by a mix of what is going inside your body and your environment.  Myth: "If you have a mental illness you will never get better." People can get better from mental illness.  Of course all illnesses are different and there are different types of recovery.  However people with mental illness can live healthy, happy lives.  Myth: "I can't help someone with mental illness.  Only a doctor can." Although only a doctor of professional can diagnose mental illness, we all can help.  Much of this is based on our attitude.  Be willing to talk to people with mental illness and find out about their interests and talents.  If we hear derogatory terms like "crazy" os "psycho" we can speak up.  We can help those who are bullied because of mental illness.  Myth: "People diagnosed with mental illnesses are dangerous or violent."  Most people with mental illness are not violent or dangerous.  However their risk of being the victim of violence often goes up.  Please speak up if others are being bullied or hurt.  Myth: "People who are not straight have a mental illness."  Being LGBRQ is not a mental illness.  However LGBTQ often may be at higher risk for mental illness due to environmental interaction.
There is also a very good section in this booklet on ways to deal.  We are all stressed, and sometimes want to get away.  Poor ways of dealing with this include drugs or alcohol, self-harm and risky sexual behavior.  Some alternative "Ways to Deal" are: Express yourself.  Find a way to express your thoughts and feelings.  This could be having a good cry, talking to a friend, or through creativity--art, music, cooking, dancing, etc.  Find support.  Opening up to a trusted friend, parent, counsellor are ways of finding support.  There are also talk lines: Santa Clara County 1-855-278-4202, Boys Town 1-800-448-3000.  Challenge negative talk.  If self-talk, or talk from others is making it more difficult to find your goals, then we should dump it.  Instead we may choose to focus on positive and more realistic self talk that can help you succeed.  Take care of your body.  Regular exercise, eight hours of sleep nightly and good nutrition can work wonders for your mood.  Get Involved.  Find things you enjoy and be involved.  Serving others is a great way to promote your own mental health.  Know where to get help.  Everyone has the right to feel safe.  It can be helpful to talk with an adult or a friend.  However sometimes professional help is needed.  Santa Clara County Mental Health is 1-800-704-0900.