Why is mental health important? 

  • Mental health is a part of our overall well-being, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and actions, influencing how we manage stress and relationships throughout our lives. Mental Health issues can range from mild to severe, (affecting nearly one in five adults), often driven by genetics, life experiences, and family history, and which include disorders like anxiety and depression. Recognizing early signs, such as changes in behavior and mood, is crucial. Effective management involves a combination of using medication and therapy andreceiving additional support from other resources and health care systems. Key strategies can include following a treatment plan, staying in touch with a primary care physician, self-education, self-care, and building a support network for improved mental well-being.- MentalHealth.gov 

  • Let’s face it, no one wants to talk about mental health. If you, or a loved one, are struggling with mental health, it’s common to feel different from other people or to feel like no one else understands. Many people are afraid to share their feelings with coworkers because of a fear of being judged, or worse, losing their job. Even friends and family are often left in the dark, unaware of how symptoms from depression and PTSD truly impact our daily lives. If you find yourself in a situation like this, you may have experienced stigma surrounding mental health. Stigma is an unfair mark of shame placed upon a condition that we are embarrassed about, like mental health, and one that we often place on ourselves. - McLean: Putting People First in Mental Health 

Where can I find information specific to teens and young adults' mental health? 

  • NAMI is proud to introduce the Teen & Young Adult (T&YA) HelpLine: A free nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults. Our T&YA Specialists are young people who understand what you're going through because they have been through stuff, too. They are experienced and well-trained. They care and want to help you find a way forward. Reach out by phone, text, or chat – For information or to chat with a specialist, visit NAMI Teen and Young Adult Helpline or text “Friend” to 62640 and immediately connect with a HelpLine Specialist trained to provide resources, information, and support. If you are a teen or young adult with questions about mental health, call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) to speak with a NAMI HelpLine specialist. 

  • Article offering tips for parents on how their relationships help mitigate negative effects of excessive social media use – Gallup - Parenting Mitigates Social Media-Linked Mental Health Issues 

  • Social Media and Youth Mental Health. This Advisory describes the current evidence on the impact of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents. It states that social media is insufficiently safe for children and adolescents and outlines immediate steps we can take to mitigate the risk of harm to children and adolescents. - Current Priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General 

Where can I find immediate help in case of a mental health crisis? 

  • Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization that provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text messaging. It offers confidential and immediate assistance to individuals in crisis, allowing them to reach out for help by sending a text message. Trained crisis counselors are available to respond to these texts and provide support for various issues, including mental health crises, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other challenges. - Text "STEVE" to 741741 for free, confidential crisis support via text message, available 24/7.  

  • Like any other health crisis, it's important to address a mental health emergency quickly and effectively. This NAMI guide outlines what can contribute to a crisis, warning signs that a crisis is emerging, strategies to help de-escalate a crisis, available resources and so much more. You can Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text "HelpLine" to 62640 – NAMI Navigating a mental health crisis guide  

Where can I find a therapist? 

  • Search for treatment: Confidential and anonymous resource for locating treatment facilities for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories. - https://findtreatment.gov/locator 

  • National directory of Latinx Therapists in private practice. - https://latinxtherapy.com/ 

Where can I find information specific to suicide prevention and help? 

  • Suicide and Self-Harm: Cultural Connections May Help Protect Hispanic/Latino Youth - According to Dr. Ruby Castilla-Puentes, president of the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry, Hispanic/Latinos can leverage many cultural characteristics that define the countries of the Latin American region to prevent mental health disorders before they turn into depression or suicidality. Factors such as close family ties, socialization networks and open communication could have protective effects against suicide risk. - https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/suicide-and-self-harm-hispanic-youth 

  • The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization focused on providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/category/mental-health/ 

Where can I find online support for mental health that I can trust? 

  • Share your story - Sharing a story about your mental health challenges can help in your own recovery as well as offer encouragement and support to others with similar experiences. NAMI has developed multiple presentations to help you in sharing your story with your community. Visit the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for more information. - https://www.nami.org/get-involved/share-your-story