Mental Health Month resources for students and staff

May 8, 2024

May is Mental Health Month, dedicated to prioritizing our well-being and promoting open conversations about mental health. WCPSS recognizes the importance of mental health and its impact on our personal and professional lives.

As we observe Mental Health Month, let us commit to destigmatizing mental health issues, promoting access to resources and support, and fostering a culture of understanding and compassion. Together, we can create environments where individuals feel empowered to seek help and where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.

Throughout the month, we have an opportunity to educate ourselves and others about mental health, break the stigma surrounding mental illness, and promote overall well-being. Whether it is through discussions, events, or simply lending a listening ear, each of us can play a role in supporting mental health awareness and advocacy.

Throughout the week of May 13-18, we invite you to use the following daily activities with your families to bring awareness to mental health, to raise awareness, encourage self-care, and connect you with resources.

Monday, May 13: Wear Green

Make it a Mental Health Monday. As the official color for mental health awareness, green represents renewal, hope, and vitality.

Tuesday, May 14: List 5 Things You Are Grateful For

Practicing gratitude can help shape your mindset to one that is more optimistic and positive. It also can improve your relationships with others. Encourage your child to practice gratitude by listing five things for which he or she is grateful.

Wednesday, May 15: What is Mental Health?

Elementary: Mental health is how we think, feel, and behave. We can take care of our mental health by taking care of our bodies, spending time with friends, doing things we enjoy, and thinking positively. We also can practice calming strategies to help control how we respond to big feelings.

Middle/High School: "Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood" (mentalhealth.gov, 2019). Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. In fact, our mental health can largely impact our physical health. For example, chronic stress impacts our immune system and over time can lead to a variety of medical conditions, such as heart disease, obesity, and digestive problems. Thus, it is important to pay attention to your mental health and take steps daily to ensure you are mentally well.

Thursday, May 16: Self-Care

Self-care is taking action to protect your physical and mental health and increase your overall happiness and well-being. It is important to do something every day to practice self-care. Some examples of self-care activities include:

Exercising
Spending time outdoors
Meditating
Journaling
Doing an activity you enjoy (e.g., listen to music, watch a movie, read a book)
Spending time with people you enjoy
Practicing gratitude
Practicing mindfulness
Taking a break from screens/technology

Friday, May 17: Pay It Forward

What is one thing you will do to continue improving your mental health? Some examples include:

Schedule time for self-care
Set boundaries
Eat healthier snacks/meals
Spend more time outdoors
Volunteer
Learn a new hobby
Create a healthy home environment (e.g., declutter, create a sleep-friendly bedroom)

Saturday, March 18: Come along for the walk! Join us for the annual NAMI Walk for Mental Health. The walk will be held at Perimeter Park in Morrisville starting at 9:00 A.M. You can join the Wake County Public Schools team for free using this link. Please wear green or a mental health related shirt.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or is in need of support:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat