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May 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:
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance started in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing. Across the country, individuals and organizations step up to raise awareness of and help address the challenges faced by people living with mental health conditions.
Why is Mental Health Awareness Important?
Despite recent strides in how our society approaches mental wellbeing, many Americans still don’t have access to the high-quality, comprehensive treatment and care they need. Just take a look at some of the staggering data about mental health in the United States:
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1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
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Only 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021.
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1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
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Only 65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021.
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1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.
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50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
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How Can I Support Mental Health Awareness?
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Get trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). You can be the difference through MHFA, a course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use challenges. Already trained? Learn how to become a MHFA Instructor!
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Raise your voice. Help us advocate to expand access to mental health and substance use care and bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing.
National Prevention Week (May 11-17)
National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and promoting positive mental health.
This year, National Prevention Week is taking place from May 12-18, 2024! Learn more about how you can get involved throughout the week and register for the events taking place. You can help amplify the power of prevention leading up to National Prevention Week and beyond by sharing your #MyPreventionStory on social media, downloading our planning toolkit, and spreading the word about National Prevention Week.
We recognize that prevention happens every day, not just during the second week of May. As such, National Prevention Week is shifting to celebrate and promote your year-round prevention initiatives. SAMHSA created a new, ongoing virtual series to showcase, elevate, and celebrate the important prevention ideas, events, news, and activities that impact communities across the country. Throughout the year, the series will spotlight prevention organizations that are creating positive social impact, fostering collaboration, and effectively responding to the changing substance use landscape. Ultimately, enhancing the health and well-being of our communities.
National Women’s Health Week (May 12 -15)
Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). This year, NWHW takes place May 12 – 18th. This observance aims to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Join us in this uplifting journey as we dive into everything that makes women’s health so important.
Empowering Women, Cultivating Health:
Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience
This year’s theme is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their health journeys and shining a light on health issues unique to women. We’re celebrating the strength and determination of women who have taken control of their health and fostering an environment where all women feel supported and empowered to speak up about their health needs and concerns. The NWHW 2024 messaging encourages women to engage in healthy practices, access preventive care, and share their health experiences to inspire others.
Each day of this observance week spotlights a different and timely women’s health topic and provides engaging resources to spread the 2024 #NWHW messages.
Day 1: Empowering Women in their Health Journey
Day 2: Safe Sexual Health
Day 3: Shining a Light on Maternal Mental Health
Day 4: Talk About It - Reducing Women's Health Stigma
Day 5: Understanding Care Is There
Day 6: Reproductive Health from Puberty to Menopause
Day 7: Women and Heart Health
World Maternal Mental Health Day (May 6)
May 1, 2024 is World Maternal Mental Health Day
The first Wednesday of May is World Maternal Mental Health Day. Organizations from around the world — including the US, Canada, UK, Turkey, Australia, Argentina, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Germany, Nigeria, and more — are leading efforts to raise awareness about maternal mental health through a collective social media push and in-country events. Postpartum Support International is proud to be a member of the worldwide taskforce.
How you can get involved
During the month of May, you can participate in PSI’s campaigns and events to raise awareness for maternal mental health!
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Use the hashtag #maternalMHmatters on social media
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Like the PSI’s Facebook page and share your events, stories, facts or research
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Raise awareness of maternal mental health issues so that more women will get treatment and fewer will suffer on our blog
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Come up with your own ideas to highlight that #maternalMHmatters in your area and let others know by submitting your event details to us via email
- Use our infographic to highlight that maternal mental health is an issue globally
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day (May 9)
This year’s National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is observed on May 9. It is an annual event that occurs on the Thursday of the first full week of May. It is a day to raise awareness of the importance of every child’s mental health. Mental health is a serious issue in modern societies. The mental health of children is even more so. According to the data from the C.D.C., one in six children between the ages of two and eight has a mental or behavioral disorder. Children are the most precious thing in the world. Children with serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance need full-time care and treatment. Even the family of such a child needs help to cope with the situation. This is a day to help them by encouraging them into therapy. Conditions like A.D.H.D. as well as anxiety and behavioral disorders can be diagnosed and treated to help the child have a better life.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
Help a child
- Help a child who suffers from mental health problems. Let him know that you are there to help and that he is not alone.
Create mental health check campaigns
- There are mental health conditions like A.D.H.D. and anxiety which children usually will not be aware of. Conduct a mental health check campaign to help people realize their status.
Donate
- There are a lot of N.G.O.s working for the welfare of children and their mental health. Arrange a fundraiser to help support these N.G.O.s and their activities.
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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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