Register today for Virtual Guiding Good Choices Class (series of 5 parenting classes). Parents/Guardians must register before registration closes to receive zoom link for free online classes!
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors.
This series of 5 Zoom classes is for parents/guardians of youth ages 9 – 15 years. *Parent/guardian or child must live in Howard County.
Class Dates: Fridays August 19 & 26, September 2, 9 & 23 (*No class on September 16)
*Parents/guardians are expected to attend all 5 sessions, youth will attend one session.
In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing, you must monitor your own physical and mental health.
Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress and know when to get help. Together we can create a culture that’s smart about mental health. We’ll save lives, and vastly improve the lives of many more.
In the midst of covid-19 pandemic and social
distancing, you need to monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the
signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones, how to relieve stress and when
to get help.
Together we can create a culture that’s smart about mental health. We’ll save lives, and vastly improve the lives of many more.
The following events have been cancelled due to covid-19 restrictions. Please stay safe, practice self-care and mindfulness, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and remain hopeful
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports
that 1 in 5 U.S. adults, and 1 in 6 youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health
disorder each year. This implies that a large percentage of the population is
either directly or indirectly impacted; either as the one experiencing the
disorder, a family member, caregiver, friend, co-worker, or health care
professional.
Love & Faith in Action for Mental Health looks at ways
to eradicate Stigma.
One of the definitions of stigma is a mark of shame or
discredit. In ancient Greece it originally described a mark made through
branding to designate a person of undesirable moral character. There is no
stigma in the God kind of love.
Love doesn’t discriminate and Faith is a verb (a “doing”
word) fueled by it. We must actively engage both in our bid to eradicate stigma
against mental illness.
Some of the ways to eradicate stigma are:
Education: Learn facts about mental
illness, get trained in mental health first aid.
Attitude: be conscious of your attitudes
and behavior. Be patient and kind. Be gracious.
Speech: be intentional with your words,
avoid labeling. Engage in people first words, “an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia:
NOT “a schizophrenic.” Eliminate tags such as “mental,” “psycho,” etc.
Awareness: educate others on mental
illness and the need to eradicate stigma.
Support: this cannot be overemphasized! I
once heard someone refer to mental illness as the non-casserole disease. When
someone either receives a negative medical prognosis or is recovering from
surgery, there is generally an outpouring of love and support. People show up
with various casseroles and offers of help, this is rarely the case when it
comes to mental illness. Support is crucial because mental illness can be isolating
and draining, both for the person involved and family.
Inclusion: don’t exclude others, make
accommodations, go beyond inclusion and foster a sense of belonging.
We must become intentional about expressing our love and
faith to those experiencing a mental illness. Let’s be there for them, believe
with them, and believe in them.
Romans 10:13 states “For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved,” not only those of a certain class,
race, gender, educational level, income bracket, mental ability, or socially acceptable
behavior.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day (Theme: Suicide Prevention) and National Depression Screening Day.
Suicide is the 10th
leading cause of death worldwide, while depression is the leading cause of
disability worldwide.
Every
year close to 800 000 people take their own life and there are many more
people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families,
communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people
left behind.
Suicide
occurs throughout life and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29
year-olds globally.
9 out of 10 people that die by suicide have an underlying mental illness, screening can help catch mental health problems early. Learn more: http://[mhanational.org/miaw]
