Spring is a time of fresh blooms, nourishment, sunshine, and awakening. This year in particular, spending time planting in my garden, I feel a sense of restored energy. On the occasional rainy day, I am delighted to bring out my rain boots, as I know the rain supports growth. The month of May wraps up the spring season and is also mental health awareness month. The emphasis on health in mental health is often missed. This May, we can advocate for our own health, and the health of others, by promoting mental health and wellbeing, and knowing the signs of distress and disturbance.
Here's to a month of whole-self wellbeing and care. Read on for a selection of resources that I hope are of interest to you!
– Dr. Lauren Marlotte, Director of Learning and Development, DMH + UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence
Five ways to promote mental health and wellbeing:
- Breathe using mindful breathing, Box Breathing, Butterfly Breath, or an abdominal breathing script.
- Practice mindfulness using MARC, Tune In, or Headspace.
- Learn more about Mindful Self Compassion and other ways to navigate uncertainty.
- Complete a wellbeing regimen to prevent and recover from occupational moral distress, moral injury, and burnout.
- Proactively communicate about tough topics with children and adolescents using this guide.
Five resources for when someone may need additional mental health support (note: not all resources are appropriate for all professions/people):
- For tough conversations: when students talk about suicide and suicide prevention in a virtual classroom.
- For navigating the nuance: recognizing and addressing anxiety in children and adolescents.
- For a better understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its impact on individuals of various ages.
- For understanding psychosis, this tip sheet covers strategies for effective and compassionate interactions.
- For applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with adolescents, young adults, and their parents.
Prevention and intervention are both key to maintaining and supporting mental health and wellbeing. This month let's focus on new beginnings, hope, and increased awareness.
