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April is a mix of things to highlight and be informed about to include Women's History Month and Self- Harm Awareness Month. In addition to World Down Syndrome Day and World Bipolar Day. Below we go into further detail to discuss March offerings:
Stress Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month is an annual designation observed in April. Have you ever been in a situation that was a little (or a lot) overwhelming, you had deadlines approaching and a mile-long to-do list, and you were just in way over your head?! Well, you're definitely not alone. Everyone feels stressed from time to time, especially as we get older and the responsibilities really pile onto our plate. The thing about stress is, a little bit of it isn't necessarily a bad thing, but too much of it can be detrimental to our emotional and physical health. Learning to find a healthy balance is the best way to live a productive, happy life.
HOW TO OBSERVE #StressAwarenessMonth
Use #NationalStressAwarenessMonth or #StressAwarenessMonth to post on social media. This month, we are all challenged to keep our stress levels low, and our peace levels high. Here are some great ways to keep your mind clear and de-stress if you find yourself getting too overwhelmed.
- Exercise. You've probably heard this one before, and even though it's probably not exactly what you want to do when you're feeling stressed (because laying on the couch and watching movies sounds more appealing), exercising gets endorphins pumping through your brain, which triggers a happy feeling. Exercise lowers your body's stress hormones like cortisol, and releases chemicals that make you feel more at peace.
- Think about taking natural supplements to help you feel more at ease. Natural remedies like lemon balm, omega-3 fatty acids, ashwagandha, green tea, and essential oils are very helpful.
- Light a candle or turn on the oil diffusers, put on some soft, soothing music and dim the lights. Take a deep breath and count your blessings.
- Caffeine intake reduction can help (even though it's tough to kick the coffee!) because caffeine tends to make us jittery, which can cause stress and anxiety.
- Spend time laughing with friends and family. Let yourself have a good time and get your mind off the busyness of the real world.
National Counselor Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month is celebrated in April every year. It’s a month-long observance of raising awareness and promoting mental health to people of all ages. It also highlights the importance of counseling professionals — from mental health counselors, school and college counselors, substance abuse counselors, to career counselors. It’s the time when their contributions, not only to the healthcare sector but also to society in general, are honored. This celebration also eradicates the stigma of seeking help for mental illnesses. These professionals are here to help, and it doesn’t make anyone less of a person to ask for guidance.
HOW TO OBSERVE COUNSELING AWARENESS MONTH
A. Join seminars and symposiums
Attend seminars and symposiums this Counseling Awareness Month. Listen to these licensed counselors and mental healthcare professionals as they talk about the importance of mental health and why counseling is a recommended option for healing.
B. Visit your counselor
Raising awareness for a larger population often starts with you. Visit your trusted counselor for self-check and regular evaluation, ensuring that you’re mentally sound and emotionally stable.
C. Encourage your friends
One of the ways to lessen the stigma behind counseling is to enlighten your friends on how it works. Everyone has a form of emotional baggage they want to be relieved from, it is everyone’s social responsibility to illuminate the benefits of counseling not just for one person but for everyone around them.
National Minority Health Month
Celebrated every year in April, National Minority Health Month:
- Builds awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups.
- Encourages action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications.
The origin of National Minority Health Month was the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 388) that “a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month should be established to promote educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other populations experiencing health disparities.” The resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other communities experiencing health disparities.”
World Health Day
Every April 7, the World Health Organization chooses to highlight a special theme current in the wellness and medical world. Ranging from mental health to insurance and everything in between, this day sets the tone for what’s to come in the world stage. This year’s World Health Day will shine a light on nurses and midwives, the on-the-call, restless workforce that revolutionized the healthcare industry as we know it today.
The unparalleled value of good health is celebrated on World Health Day on April 7. Spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), physical, mental, and emotional well-being is promoted and celebrated all over the world on this day.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD HEALTH DAY
- Organize a conversation in your community
- WHO offers free information toolkits for organizers. Take the challenge and lead a conversation in your community about a current healthcare issue.
- Read up on past year's themes
- With over 50 years of health days in the archives, it can be an interesting exercise to look at how far — or not — we have come in healthcare. You might learn something interesting and relevant even from older information.
- Thank your nurses!
- This year’s World Health Day is focused on them, so make sure to thank them! Flowers, tweets or any nice gesture will go a long way for sure!
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Community Resources:
Utilize this website for the following resources
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/
Visit FoundinFaithMD.org/get-help/apply/
to apply to the Fresh Start Furniture Program TODAY!
If you do not have computer access, please call 443-519-2464 ext. 2
ALL FURNITURE REQUESTS ARE SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
If you need immediate help finding shelter or a place to eat, call 211.
Meals
Baltimore- Our Daily Bread Employment Center
725 Fallsway, Baltimore City
443-986-9000
PG CO- Bethel House 301-372-1700 & Salvation Army of Prince George’s County Food Pantry 301-277-6103
AA CO- Anne Arundel County Food Access WARM Line 410- 222- 3663 &
Anne Arundel County Food Bank
120 Marbury Drive Crownsville, MD 21032
Harford CO- Breathe 379, 2124 Nuttal Ave. Edgewood. Groceries, prepared food, clothes.
& EPICENTER, EPICENTER at Edgewood, 1918 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood. 443.981.3742.
Mental Health Assistance
National Alliance for Mental Illness
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 24/7: 1-800-273-8255
Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc.
Call 24/7: 410-433-5175 if you or someone you know needs help with a mental health crisis
Legal Services
Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP)
201 N. Charles St., Suite 1104, Baltimore City
410-685-6589 / 800-773-4340
Provides free legal aid to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Maryland Legal Aid
500 E. Lexington St., Baltimore City
410-951-7777
Provides a full range of free civil legal services to financially eligible individuals, with a focus on legal issues concerning elder rights, employment, family, public benefits, health care and housing
Reentry Services
Assists prisoners, ex-prisoners and others in need become independent, responsible citizens through civil legal assistance and re-entry services
Baltimore- Alternative Directions
2505 N. Charles St., Baltimore City
410-889-5072
PG CO- People Ready 5814 Baltimore Ave.
Hyattsville, Maryland 20781 (301)277-2172
AA CO- AmeriCorps (800) 942-2677
Identification
Beans and Bread
402 South Bond St., Baltimore City
410-732-1892
ID cards and birth certificates available on the first business day of the month to the first 5 to 10 people who arrive
Manna House
435 East 25th St., Baltimore
410-889-3001
Provides assistance with birth certificate and ID cards applications
Employment Assistance
ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS
Downtown One Stop Career Center
1100 North Eutaw St., Room 101, Baltimore City
410-767-2148
Eastside One-Stop Career Center
3001 East Madison St., Baltimore City
410-396-9030
Provides assistance with job search strategies, employment referrals and placement and other workforce services; offers access to copiers, faxes and phones
Northwest American Job Center (Re-entry Center)
Mondawmin Mall, Suite 302
2401 Liberty Heights Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Telephone: 410-396-7873
DROP-IN CENTERS
Manna House
435 E. 25th St., Baltimore City
410-889-3001
Franciscan Center
101 W. 23rd St., Baltimore City
410-467-5340
H.O.P.E.
2828 Loch Raven Rd., Baltimore City
410-327-5830
Provides clothing, communication, laundry, food, recreation and showers
** For any other region specific info email socialmedia@emrcgroup.org **
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