Mental Health Awareness Webinar

Thank you for your interest in boosting your mental health knowledge and awareness. Kickstarting conversations are so important not just for our own health and mental wellness, but also for reducing the stigma that keeps people struggling in silence every single day.

We live in challenging times. It's okay to ask for help.

Take some time to go through the resources below. Please feel free to share them with your family, friends, and constituents.

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Support

Here are just a few of the many support services that are available to those who are struggling or need advice on helping a loved one in need.

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Find a course.

This program is managed, operated, and disseminated by the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Missouri Department of Mental Health

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress or for those seeking information about available resources.

The Lifeline is comprised of a national network of over 150 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices.

Veterans and military families are among the populations most impacted by mental health challenges. The caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances.

The Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 support to those in need. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line trains volunteers to support people in crisis and have processed more than 100 million messages to date.

Inspired by the Oscar-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization in providing crisis intervention to LGBTQ+ young people under the age of 25.

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Psych Hub is home to the world's largest online platform of digital education on mental health issues. Their free micro-video library hosts over 100 consumer-facing, animated videos focused on improving mental health literacy and reducing stigma about seeking care.

Self Care

Life is filled with daily challenges and stressors. It's important that we all find the time to practice self-care, which means taking care of our mental health in addition to our physical health.

"Self Care and Mental Health," Active Minds
"How to Meditate with Anxiety," Mindful
"The Food That Helps Battle Depression," The Wall Street Journal
"How Acceptance Can Help With Depression and Anxiety," SacWellness
"This Is A Good Time To Stop Fighting Anxiety," The New York Times
"Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health," SAMHSA
"Taking Care of Your Emotional Health," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"Protecting and Supporting Your Mental Health in Challenging or Uncertain Times," Be Vocal
"Suicide Prevention," Facebook

In the Media

The language that we use to discuss mental wellness and suicide prevention can play a big role in helping to de-stigmatize and normalize the conversation in a constructive way. Using phrases like "died by suicide" instead of "committed suicide," for example, helps to reframe the issue as the health crisis that it is.

For more information of best practices in discussing mental illness and suicide, take a look at these guidelines from some of the nation's leading organizations. While these guides were written for journalists, the information on safe messaging can be applied to social media, press briefings, and dialogue on the issues.

"Why Suicide Reporting Recommendations Matter," National Alliance on Mental Illness
"Suicide Reporting Recommendations," American Association of Suicidology
"Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide," American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
"Think Before You Share," Facebook and MediaSmarts

National Organizations and Federal Agencies

Organizations and agencies across the country are working to raise awareness and provide resources about mental health and suicide prevention. Be sure to check out what these groups and other local organizations in your state and district are doing to help.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the leading government agencies focused on providing mental health resources and implementing suicide prevention programs.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

The National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH) is the nation's voice of mental health and addiction providers who care for 10 million adults and children.

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) works to promote the understanding and prevention of suicide and support those who have been affected by it.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Mental Health America (MHA) is the national's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.

Brought to you by the National Council for Behavioral Health and Spark Media

in conjunction with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, the Congressional Legislative Directors Association

and the House Congressional Chiefs of Staff Association