Maintaining mental wellbeing in the face of life's many stressors can be challenging. However, the stigma surrounding mental health issues can make the challenge even greater, according to Kimberly Cavalier, a human sciences specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. The purpose is to increase understanding and reduce stigma concerning mental health conditions and challenges.
ISU Extension and Outreach offers several mental health programs and resources to help educate and inform Iowans, said Cavalier, who specializes in family wellbeing.
QPR -- Question. Persuade. Refer. -- is a suicide prevention and education program. This one-hour to 90-minute program is available in person or virtually and teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid teach participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem (such as depression or a substance abuse disorder), has an existing mental health condition that is getting worse, or could be experiencing a mental health crisis. Just like traditional first aid, mental health first aid doesn't teach participants how to diagnose disorders. Instead, the training teaches people how to offer initial support until the appropriate professional help is received or until the crisis is resolved. This in-depth certification training is available in-person or online.
Iowa Concern provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. With a toll-free phone number, live chat capabilities and a website, Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. To reach Iowa Concern, call 800-447-1985; language interpretation services are available. Or visit the website, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/, to live chat with a stress counselor one-on-one in a secure environment or email an expert regarding legal, finance, stress or crisis and disaster issues.
Farm Stress and Mental Health is available for free download from the Extension Store. Professionals who interact regularly with farmers and their families are in a unique position to recognize mental health or substance use issues and warning signs of suicidal intent. This fact sheet is designed to help agricultural advocates respond to someone in crisis with support and resources.
"Mental Health Matters!" publications are designed to provide information on youth mental health. They include an activity that young people can do to gain skills related to their mental and physical wellbeing. Youth may do activities on their own, with a caring adult, or with a group.
Encouraging a Friend to Seek Professional Help examines how loss, grief or depression can immobilize a person, making it hard for the individual to look realistically at a situation or to take action. It's important for friends or family members not to ignore signs that the person needs help.
"Together we can increase awareness about mental health conditions and challenges and reduce the stigma that still exists," Cavalier said. "It is important to tackle this challenge by addressing our mental health as well as the mental health of our friends, family and loved ones."
For more information about mental health, resources and training, or to learn how you can help reduce the stigma, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/mental-health-and-wellbeing.
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle