The World Health Organization defines health as a “state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 Did you notice in that definition that health is about more than one aspect of our lives? Oftentimes health is so focused on the physical side of things that we forget that there are more parts that make and keep us going.
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed in the United States. This month provides a dedicated opportunity to learn more about mental health, raise awareness, and, most importantly, take action. In a recent survey, the majority of US adults feel that mental health is equally as important as physical health and seeing a mental health professional is a sign of strength.2 Raising awareness about mental health is extremely important, but taking action will lead to change.
What does taking action look like? There are many opportunities available to the university community during this month, as well as throughout the year. Action can mean learning more about mental health or suicide prevention, assessing your mental health, or even connecting with a mental health professional.
Learn
Sign up for a free QPR training.
QPR stands for “Question, Persuade, Refer” – the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people train in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver to help save lives, you can train in QPR to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and get someone help.
Sign up for a Mental Health First Aid training
Counseling & Psych Services provides Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
Save or bookmark local and national resources.
An easy step is to add the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) to your phone contacts. The 988 website also offers information on what happens when someone calls the 988 lifeline, steps you can take to help someone who is struggling, and stories of hope and recovery.
Read A Manager’s Guide to Suicide Postvention in the Workplace
Learn how to notify, support, comfort, lead, and sustain your team following a suicide death or near-fatal attempt. Short on time? Start by reading the Decision-Making Flowchart (p. 17).
Assess
Many of us have assessed our physical health by checking our blood pressure and heart rate, or even just checking in on what aches and pains happen when we get out of bed in the morning. Checking in on and assessing your mental health is important, too, and tools are available to help make that check-in a little easier.
CredibleMind is a free one-stop-shop digital platform that provides expert-curated and scientifically backed mental health self-care content. It's available to benefits-eligible employees and their households 24/7. It includes an expansive library of trusted information, tools, and assessments in articles, books, podcasts, videos, and more. Access the platform from a mobile phone, tablet, or computer, with no login required, so any time can be the right time to focus on your mental health and well-being.
Connect
There are times when connecting with a mental health professional is what is best for your mental health. Connecting with a professional can help when dealing with grief or loss, managing burnout or stress, or developing communication skills in a safe and supportive environment. University employees, their dependents, and members of their household are eligible for free, confidential short-term counseling through ComPsych that includes supports such as:
- Up to 12 counseling sessions per issue per year.
- Extended appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
- A diverse, statewide network of providers allows you to select a provider who meets your cultural, clinical, and location preferences.
- A range of service modes, including in-person, phone, video, and chat options.
- English- and/or Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for other languages.
Mental Health takes more than a month
Even after Mental Health Awareness Month has ended, it is still important to stay on top of your mental health. A great one-stop shop is the Life & Work Connections Mental & Emotional Health webpage. You can access links for employee assistance counseling, articles, tools, videos, workshops, and resources there. Improving or maintaining your mental health takes time, but your well-being is that important.