May is Mental Health Awareness Month: 88 Ways to Get Help, Information, and Support

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It's the ideal time to open up the conversation, reach out, and spread awareness about the significance of the problem in our schools and communities—and what we can do about it. With better awareness we can decrease stigma around mental illness, educating students and teacher about symptoms, encourage seeking help for oneself and others, and promote creating a culture of caring and connectedness in our schools and communities.

Mental health issues affect us all. You may be among the one in five Americans with a chronic mental illness. Or, you may have experienced temporary symptoms at some point in your life. If not, a friend, spouse, child, or co-worker may suffer from depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition.

Unfortunately, although we have made progress, the stigma around mental health persists. While some people are open about their mental health problems, others keep it a close secret. Mental health problems and suicide have risen to epidemic proportions among children and youth, causing major concerns in our communities and school systems. Of special concern are students who have mental health issues who have not been identified and are not receiving treatment, affecting their academic and long-term life outcomes.

Here are just a few of the facts about mental illness among students, school staff, and Caregivers:

Students:

• Mental health challenges were the leading cause of death and disability in children and youth ages 3-17, with suicide is now the second leading cause of death for 10- to 14-year-olds.
• 16 percent of youth (age 12-17) reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year.
• 60 percent of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment, nearly half of parents whose adolescent had a mental health visit reported difficulties getting care.
• School Staff:
• Nearly 75 percent of teachers and 85 percent of principals are experiencing frequent job-related stress
• 27 percent of teachers reported symptoms of depression, compared to 10 percent of other adults.

Caregivers:

• 8 million parents (18%) had mental illness in the past year,
• An estimated 1 in 14 children having caregiver with poor mental health (CDC).

Tools and Resources Support, Prevention, and Crisis Intervention

Many organizations, resources, and tools are available help us build awareness, identify children at risk, create solutions, promote supportive schools and communities, and improve access to care. No one is immune to mental health problems. It's time for us get support ourselves and those who need our help to increase mental wellbeing.

Below are resources to help students, parents, districts, and teachers with issues surrounding mental illness.

Youth Suicide Prevention and Crisis Helplines

• Boystown National Hotline:  Call 800-448-3000 or TTY 800-448-3000 for crisis and support line for children, youth and their parents, 24/7. Spanish available.
• Hopeline:  800-442-HOPE (4673) provides phone support by trained suicide prevention volunteers.
• IM ALIVE: College students in crisis can chat online with volunteers certified in crisis intervention, and colleges can host on-campus events to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.
• National Runaway Safeline (1.800.RUNAWAY): A 24/7 crisis line for youth thinking about running away, for youth already on the run, and adults worried about a runaway.
• Teen Lifeline: Call (24/7/365) or Text 1-800-248-8336 (weekdays 12-9pm and weekends), for crisis support or peer counseling (3-9pm daily).
• The Trevor Project: Call 866-4-U-TREVOR or text "START" to 678678 to reach the LGBTQ Youth Suicide Hotline.
• Youth Alliance Listing of Help Hotlines: Broad list of helplines for suicide, mental health, abuse, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse support, runaways, eating disorders, and more.

Adult and All-Ages Suicide Prevention and Crisis Helplines

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 or online at org provides free, 24/7, confidential support (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
• American Psychologist Association – Crisis Hotline and Resources: Includes crisis hotlines for people with a wide variety of problems, including substance abuse, sexual and domestic violence, gambling, disaster distress, and much more.
• CDC Website - Suicide Resources Page: Links to data sources, publications, and resources to address mental health, stress, and suicide.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with counselors 24/7/365.
• Hopeline Suicide Crisis Hotline: Call 1-800-SUICIDE for a 24-hour National Suicide Crisis Hotline that automatically directs the call to the nearest crisis center.

General Suicide Resources and Information

• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Suicide Resource Center: Comprehensive information on childhood and teen mental health topics, related facts for families, and links to clinical resources, research and training, books, related websites, and more.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) website: Resources for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month,
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Resource Library includes products, including toolkits, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, archived webinars, and reports created by the Action Alliance and its partners, including advocacy tools and general information.
• National Institute of Mental Health: Suicide prevention and PTSD webpages with free brochures and shareable resources.
• Psycom Emergency Mental Health Resources: A wide range of resources, including suicide hotlines, drug dependency, Trans Lifeline, LGBTQ hotline, referral resources, and more.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): Funded by SAMSHA, it offers suicide prevention information for families and educators.  
• The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: A report identifying six priority actions for suicide prevention in the United States at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels.

Youth and Family Mental Health Support, Referrals, and General Resources

• BestColleges Resource Guide for Students with Psychiatric Disabilities: Information on factors, challenges, accommodations, tips, and resources for college students with psychiatric disabilities.
• Children's Mental Health Network: Website provides articles, tips, research, and news on a wide variety of topics.
• org Dealing with Teen Depression: Provides information for teens in need of support.
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): Administered by SAMHSA, this network of frontline providers, family members, researchers, and national partners is committed to improving children's care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. 
• On Our Sleeves: The organization's mission is to break down any stigma around mental health issues in children. Provides resources, guides about children's mental health topics.
• Suicide Prevention Resources for Teens: From SPRC, resources include materials on mental health issues, information on programs and practices, and topical articles.
• The CDC Children Mental Health Page: Provides information on supporting mental health in childhood, including professional journal reports, informational articles, research and studies, policy, and more.
• The Child Mind Institute: The organization delivers educational resources to children and families dealing with mental health and learning conditions.
• The Jed Foundation (JED): Mental Health Resources Center with information about emotional health issues for youth and teens.

Adult and All Ages Mental Health Support, Listings, Referrals, and General Resources

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: DBSA offers an extensive peer support network, interactive online resources, and print, audio, and video educational materials.
• DIY Tools from Mental Health America: Apps, worksheets, and other tools to improve your mental health
• Mental Health America: 800-969-NMHA (6642) refers callers to local mental health services or support programs.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) HelpLine: Get information and support from NAMI's Helpline (10am-10pm ET) by calling at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting ("HelpLine" to 62640), emailing (helpline@nami.org), or online chat (NAMI.org/help).  
• Rural Mental Health Organizations: A listing of organizations to help with mental healthcare needs in rural communities, where adequate services may be hard to find and access. From Rural Health Information Hub website.
• Mental Health in Rural Communities Toolkit: Tools for implementing mental health programs in rural areas, containing seven modules focused on developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining rural mental health programs.  
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): Resources on mental health, suicide prevention, and related issues, in English and Spanish
• SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: Search for treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Free, confidential, treatment referral and information service available 24/7/365 (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
• National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Health: List and description of national mental health organizations. Also provides a training and resource center, publications, and resource/policy information.
• gov: Provides general mental health information, resources, and peer and family support for youth, parents and caregivers, family and friends, educators, and community leaders, with SAMHSA treatment referral. Find organizations to help coordinate a community event and locate speakers.
• National Eating Disorder Association: NEDA offers resources to find help and support through their Parent, Family, and Friends Network.

People of Color

• African American Youth Suicide: Report to Congress: Examines patterns of youth suicide by race and ethnicity, with information on risk and protective factors, interventions, and remaining knowledge gaps.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Suicide prevention resources, including resources supporting diverse communities and the LGBTQ community.
• Mental Health Resources for Underrepresented Communities: On the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) website. Find resources for suicide prevention focused on supporting individuals in minority communities. General resources are also available.
• National Alliance for Hispanic Health: Provides Mental Health information and resources focusing on the Latino community, in English and Spanish.
• The National Hispanic and Latino Prevention Technology Transfer Center: Offers fact sheets on suicide prevention among Hispanics and Latinos, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Online MSW Programs: 55 Mental Health Resources for People of Color, including Black People and African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, LatinX Americans, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives. Includes networks, organizations, directories, apps, podcasts, and more.

Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ Community

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Suicide prevention resources, including resources supporting diverse communities and the LGBTQ community.
• LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743
• Mental Health in the LGBTQ Population: A variety of mental health resources for youth and adults in the LGBTQ community, on the Human Rights Campaign website.
• STEVE Fund Crisis Textline: Text STEVE to 741741. Young people of color can text to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.
• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860. Provides trans peer support, run by and for trans people. Includes resources for coming out, community-based crisis support, and supporting a trans loved one.
• The Trevor Project: Call 866-4-U-TREVOR or text "START" to 678678 to reach the LGBTQ Youth Suicide Hotline.

Mental Health Resources for Parents

• A Parent's Guide to Childhood Mental Health: Broad-based toolkit for parents. Includes information on warning signs, worksheets, checklists, and other information to help parents become better equipped to support their child's mental health.
• Balanced Mind Parent Network: Guides families raising children and teens with mood disorders to the answers, support, and stability they seek.
• Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center: Information to help parents support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.
• Child Mind Institute Complete Guide to Getting Good Care: Provides information about identifying if a child needs help, diagnosis, treatment options, and other key topics. Available in English and Spanish.
• Healthy Children.org: The Emotional Wellness Page for parents includes dozens of articles addressing issues related to discussing difficult issues with children, family dynamics and coping, helping children handle stress and more. Website sponsored by AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• org: Parent's Guide to Teen Depression: Shares how to recognize the symptoms of depression in teens.  
• Mental Health Resources for Parents: A range of parenting mental health resources, including Parenting & School, Identifying Mental Health Struggles in Children, Helping at Home: Tips for parents, and much more.
• Mental Health Resources for Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults: Resources from the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine, including online resources for parents, mental health networks, mental health treatment guides, and treatment services locator.
• National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: This organization focuses on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families.
• National Institute of Mental Health:  Website provides guides and brochures directed at parents. 
• National Parent Hotline: 1-855-427-2736 provides emotional support for parents and caregivers from a trained advocate.  
• Parents and Families: This SAMHSA website helps access resources for families and family-run organizations supporting behavioral health recovery and resilience for children, youth, and adults.
• Parents Medication Guides for ADHD, Bipolar, and Depression: Three parent medication to help parents learn about effective treatments for children and adolescents with various mental health disorders. Available from the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Educator Resources for Self-Care and Mental/Emotional Wellness

• Life and Well-being, We Are Teachers: Curated topics page of videos, articles and tools focused on reinvigorating and inspiring teachers to live more healthfully.
• NASP Webpage: National Association of School Psychologist webpage: Care for the Caregiver: Guidelines or Administrators and Crisis Teams.
• NEA Resources on Self-Care: Trainings and webinars for education support professionals to help avoid burnout, listen to your body, and practice wellness skills.
• National Education Association Webinar: Avoid the Burnout: How to Take of You is the First Step in Meeting the Needs of Students. Self-care strategies to help overcome the chronic stress that many education support professionals experience.
• Stress Management for Teachers: A Proactive Guide: This book is Ideal for use in teacher workshops. Provides vital coping and problem-solving skills for managing the everyday stresses of the classroom. 
• Teachers Aid Podcast: Episodes focus on social and emotional support for teachers with discussions led by hosts and educators Jon Harper and Mandy Froehlich.
• Teaching with Mental Health in Mind: Facebook group providing mental health support for educators who come into daily contact with youth.
• The Educators Room Presents: The Teacher Self-Care Podcast: This series features teachers and administrators sharing what self-care looks like for them.

District, School, and Educator Tool Kits 

• Back to School: Building Community for Connection and Learning: Toolkit of teacher resources and classroom activities to help lay a foundation for a reflective and caring community in the opening days of the school year.
• Effective School-Community Partnerships to Support School Mental Health: Document from NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) discussing background, key elements, and action steps to build effective community partnerships.
• Engaging Parents to Support Student Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: Toolkit created to help raise parent awareness about school connectedness and its role in supporting student mental health and emotional well-being, and why family engagement both in and out of school is important.
• Implementing School Mental Health Supports: Best Practices in Action: A comprehensive guide of from the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments to help schools respond to rising behavioral health issues students.
• Mental Health America Toolkit: Downloadable resources for individuals and organizations to help plan for raising mental health awareness (May is Mental Health Month).
• Mental Health Resources for Schools: The Check-In Project's website provides general information, expert chats on student mental health issues, classroom tools, tools for parents, and a mental health blog.
• Mental Health Screening Tools: Mental Health America provides resources on the hows and whys of mental health screenings in schools, including curriculum guidelines.
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): Offers resources for teens, families, and schools, including downloadables.
• Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators, Save a Friend: Tips for Teens to Prevent Youth Suicide, from the NASP.
• Preventing Suicide: a Toolkit for High Schools: This SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) resource helps districts design and implement wellness and suicide prevention programs.
• National School Mental Health Best Practices and Related Projects: Implementation guidance modules and videos to help states, districts, and schools advance comprehensive school mental health; includes trainer and participant manuals and more for district leaders, student services, community behavioral health agencies, family advocates, and other school stakeholders.
• Providing School-Based Mental Health Services: Presentation that discusses MTSS, student intervention, collaboration, and tools & strategies.
• SAMHSA Toolkit: These resources from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) help those planning an event for National Prevention Week (May 7-13, 2023). Also includes resources for helping youth with substance abuse issues.
• Suicide Prevention Campaign Toolkit: The American Association of Pediatrics offers factsheets, infographics, videos, and other materials for parents, schools, clinicians, and the community, and Preventing Suicide: Information for Administrators and Crisis Teams

Take action this May during Mental Health Month

Spread Awareness. Share Information. Find Resources. Whether you're a student of any age in any community, parent, teacher, or school administrator, it's time to take action. We can all agree that heightening awareness about mental health in our communities is a crucial step in reducing stigma, encouraging people to seek help, and creating caring, connected communities that support all those with mental health issues.

With so many ways to find information, get help, and avert a crisis, we can all play a part in helping ourselves, our students, caregivers and families, peers, and co-worker. Let's take advantage of Mental Health Month to commit to learning more about how to spot warning signs, support and intervene on students at risk, and create sound mental health policies that create an improved learning environments and healthier school communities.

Convenient tools featuring mobile and online technologies can help educators improve mental, emotional, and physical health to help students learn better and live better—now and as they transition to adulthood. STOPit Solutions offers a mobile app to centralize, localize, and increase access to mental health and crisis resources in your community. Together, we make a difference!