MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Mental Health is just as important as physical health, so take care of your mind as much as you take care of your body.

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, green ribbons are used to show support of mental health and wellness. Green was chosen due to the historically negative association that was placed on the color. In the 1800s, green was used to label those that were deemed “insane”. This color is now used to fight stigma and represent new growth, new beginnings, and new life.

INDIANA FACTS

• Roughly 1 in 5 adults in Indiana experience negative mental health symptoms each year.
  • About half of these individuals did not receive treatment due to some combination of factors.
• 57% of youth students felt sad or hopeless for more than 2 weeks at a time.
  • 80% of LGBTQ+ youth felt this way almost every day for more than 2 weeks.

RESOURCES

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, or a mental health or substance use crisis, please call 988 to reach Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and speak with a trained crisis specialist 24/7.

988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it offers a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress – whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. You can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Be Well Crisis Helpline

Whether you or a loved one are in active addiction, are on the journey of recovery or feel like you’ve been using substances too much, a Peer Recovery Specialist can help. These specialists understand what you’re going through because they’ve been where you are. If you’re looking to make a change, need some extra support or just need to talk, Peer Recovery Specialists are here for you. They can listen, offer advice and help connect you to resources that can help.

• Dial 2-1-1
• Select your language and enter ZIP code
• Press 1 for mental health or substance use
• Then press 6 to connect with a Peer Recovery Specialist

Indiana 211

Helping Hoosiers live better.

2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Hoosiers across Indiana find the local resources they need. Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a navigator. We're here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Food and clothing
• Mental health and substance use
• Education, employment and tax assistance
• Housing and utility assistance
• Domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault
• Children and family services
• Health care

PROGRAMS

Project AWARE

During the month of May, Hoosier students and families can prioritize their mental wellness by participating in Project AWARE Goes to the Park at any local Indiana State Park! Visit your nearest State Park's Visitor Center to pick up a self-led activity guide and complete a short, fun activity. Once completed, participants can enter for a chance to win park swag!

Project AWARE advocates sustainable mental health awareness practices for Indiana educators and the school-aged youth and families they serve. Together, we have the power foster safe environments and build resilient students.

Change the Frequency

Prioritizing mental health in our daily lives allows us to be more resilient when challenging moments arrive. Together, we have the power to Change the Frequency of our mental wellbeing—to build connections, shape positive habits, and form healthy coping techniques.is Developed through Indiana’s Project AWARE – a collaborative initiative between the Indiana Department of Education and Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

For weekly encouragement and new tips on how to change your mental frequency—text MENTALHEALTH to (317)-676-6730.

Believe in You

DMHA designed Believe in You specifically for youth most at risk for justice involvement or using alcohol, tobacco, or other substances. The Believe in You campaign provides easy-to-use videos, coping techniques and more, all aimed to strengthen mental wellness. Youth simply opt-in to the Believe in You text campaign, which will then guide them through positive reinforcement techniques, videos, and points to ponder.
Take some time to check out the interactive video portal, which can be found here.

Learn more and download the toolkit at https://mhanational.org/may.

If you are interested in learning more about potential incentives and supporting resources to help overarching campaign success, contact Amber Becker at Amber.Becker@fssa.IN.gov.