Mental Health Matters: May 2025

Emotional wellness is an individual AND group effort!

As we begin May and Mental Health Awareness month, I want to share some tips and thoughts about our individual emotional wellness.

FOCUSING ON SELF:

Currently, you might feel more overwhelmed then usual. This is not uncommon at this time of year, as stress can be elevated due to upcoming final exams, licensing exams, work demands, family dynamics, and pending changes that come with graduation and the end of the school year schedule/routine. Therefore, our first priority must be to take care of ourselves, as individuals.

1. Separate what is in your control from what is not. (Only spend your time, thoughts, and energy on things in YOUR control).
   
2. Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. (Coping skills must be individualized. Figure out what works best for you and use your safe skills.)
   
3. Get outside in nature/sunshine/fresh air. (Any one who talks with me may hear me say, 'fresh air is good therapy'....go ahead and take a walk around your neighborhood. Bring a friend or family member, if they're around, too!)
   
4. Challenge yourself to stay in the present. (Anxiety increases when we worry too much about the future or things outside of our control. Feelings of depression increases when we linger in the past or feel hopeless about the future. Staying in the PRESENT is the safest place to be!)

If you notice that you still aren't feeling as 'well' as you want to, reach out to someone!

*(Below are in-school, in-community AND on-line resources) Know you are NOT alone and there is someone who cares and can help in any situation!

FOCUSING ON OTHERS:

It is important to look around us, observe who we think or feel needs help or a supportive person in their lives. The best way to connect with someone struggling or feeling isolated is to start a simple conversation. It doesn’t need to be serious or deep. Just simply checking in on someone shows they are cared about. If you identify someone you want to connect with but you don’t know them, it can feel strange or awkward. Here are some ways to initiate a conversation to show you care:

• Hi, my name is *your name*. What is your name?

• Hey, is anyone sitting here? Can I sit with you?

• Do you need to talk?

• What can I do to be there for you?

• Is there anything that you need?

• I want to know how you’re feeling because I care about you.

If, upon connecting with that person, you feel that you, alone, aren't able to provide the support they need, please refer them to any of the helpers listed below (in addition to your continued support!)

Emotional wellness doesn't just happen. We have to work on it, like anything else. On our own AND together.....

“Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help." The truth is that we are both. We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.”

The Burlington County Coalition for Healthy Communities (BCCHC), an initiative of Prevention Plus of Burlington County, is sponsoring a Healthy Communities Sidewalk Chalk Contest and we are inviting your school or organization to participate! Hundreds of Burlington County students have participated in the past, creating wonderful designs around substance misuse and mental health. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, your budding artists are asked to highlight healthy ways to deal with stress using the theme “Keeping our Brains Healthy.”