National Mental Health Month

Did you know that May is Mental Health Month?  For 50 years Mental Health Month has been an opportunity to raise awareness of mental illness and mental health for everyone. The following are some online resources that can help learn more about maintaining mental wellness.

For Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association), this year’s theme is “get connected” – to family, friends, your community, and health professionals. MHA has related articles and a quiz to help you find out how strong your support system is.

MHA also conducted a survey about American’s social connectedness. You can read more about the survey here: 2008 Social Connectedness and Health Survey Executive Summary.

The American Psychiatric Association’ online resource Healthy Minds is focusing on the mental health of military personnel. You can read about how military service can affect mental health and where soldiers and their families can get help.

On the lighter side, Vital Juice Daily marked Mental Health Month with tips on nurturing your emotional health.  

May 8 was National Children’s Mental Health Day. MHA has a list of ways parents can stay connected with their children.

You can read more about children’s mental health on the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s website. They have a list of ways parents and care-takers can help maintain children’s mental health and, on another page, downloadable materials on children’s mental health.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is focusing on teens this year. Follow this link for tips for maintaining teen’s mental health.