Human Resources created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage. Check out the list of resources available to you. 

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, was established by the founder of Mental Health America to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions.

While stigma around mental health and treatment has decreased in recent years, there are still people who hesitate to take steps to address mental health challenges, seek care, and talk about mental health with friends, family, and even their medical providers.  Did you know that one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year and on average, people live with symptoms of a mental illness for 10 years before seeking treatment, largely due to the stigma?

So, what can you do?  How should you observe Mental Health Awareness Month?

• Take care of yourself. Life has many ups and downs. Some problems you may be able to solve on your own, but not always, and that is okay. When you need mental health assistance, reach out.
• Take care of your loved ones. Check up on your family and friends. Sometimes, all a person needs is a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen.  But if they need more help than you can provide, support them, and assist them to find the right treatment.
• Talk about mental health. The more everyone talks about it, the more normalized it will become, reducing the stigma attached to mental health disorders and helping others to seek treatment.
• Learn more. Attend live or virtual events; access resources (see below for more details).

Human Resources has created a Mental Health Awareness Month webpage that includes a detailed list of resources to assist you.  We will continue to expand this page throughout the month with any additional community events.

There are also several organizations that offer tools and resources to support others and be supported.

The Healthiest State Initiative’s Make It OK is a community campaign that encourages everyone to talk more openly about mental illness in hopes of de-stigmatizing it so individuals will feel more open to seek care.  They are holding free Make It OK presentations throughout the month that start this conversation.

Drake’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a wide range of resources. EAPs are an often-under-utilized employee benefit. Drake partners with Employee & Family Resources (EFR) so Drake employees (and anyone living in their households) can have free easy access to these resources. There is something for everyone—including free confidential counseling, webinars, podcasts, a blog, self-assessment tools, and a mobile app.

EFR also offers a benefit called Togetherall—an online support peer community where you can connect with others for support, keep a journal, set goals, take assessments, and learn how to adjust to life’s ups and downs with structured courses. Moderated by professionals, Togetherall is available 24/7 and free to use.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) both help raise awareness and combat stigma. This year NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with their “Take the Moment” campaign and MHA with their “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World” campaign.

Remember, it is OK to not be OK.  Please reach out when you need help, be there for others who need an assist, and start the conversation.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources