Parent Alert May 2022

 

 

 

SAMHSA
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to provide education and resources surrounding the topic of mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.” Mental illness and substance use disorder are commonly connected, so this month we would like to share some information to help you support the youth in your life.
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Wayne and Holmes Counties partners with several local agencies that provide mental health and substance use services, including prevention and treatment. Learn more about their funded partners here.
Mental Health America’s Youth Mental Health toolkit helps adults recognize the signs of mental illness and gives them options for what to do next. They include a mental health screening to help parents determine if their child is dealing with symptoms of mental illness.
NAMI’s Kids, Teens and Young Adults page offers “essential information and resources intended to help young people get the mental health support they need.” It includes information for both parents and youth, all in one easy-to-navigate site.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a number of Mental Health Awareness Month resources for every age group. Find them here.
Stress First Aid from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMAS) is a helpful tool for people of all ages. Designed by the United States Navy, it has been adapted for use by mental health professionals and the general public. According to OHMAS, “Stress First Aid is a model that can be applied to any stressor and used with any person.”
The Youth Mental Health Project is a nonprofit “whose mission is to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of our youth.” The offer educational materials, resources for caretakers and youth, a parent support group, and much more.