May is Mental Health Awareness Month—Share your Experiences

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health is gathering information about experiences with the new crisis response programs. This has grown out of the NAMI Mass/DMH Family Advisory Council that came together to discuss DMH congregant living situations during COVID. It is co-chaired by Commissioner Brooke Doyle and Eliza Williamson (Deputy Director of Programs at NAMI Mass), with Jill Gilchuhi (NAMI Mass Compass Director) attending as well. We invite our readers to briefly share their stories, good or bad, about touch points with 988, the BHHL, and the CBHCs. We invite people to send them to our email address: nami.cmsx@gmail.com. Then we’ll share the experiences with the committee. No names will be used, just the experience story. We won’t be commenting on the submissions, just passing them along. NAMI often carries the burden of hearing negative stories about the behavioral health care system. The DMH legislative listening sessions that helped create the goals for the CBHC’s brought meaningful change, and we appreciate that DMH is opening a channel to keep listening.

Also, from Mental Health America (mhanational.org), an organization that believes as NAMI does, we find these good ideas on many aspects of living well.

Mental health is one of your greatest assets. It helps you focus at work, overcome obstacles, get along with the people around you—and get well and stay well.

Living Well: Our mental health is in constant flux and ebbs and flows on a daily basis. Many things can impact this including our physical health. The connection between our physical body and our mental health is important and may be something worth exploring when thinking about staying mentally healthy. Learn more about whole health and what you can do to improve your overall wellness.

Are You Stressed? Stress Screener Fact Sheet How’s Your Mood? Are You At Risk For A Mental Health Condition When Change Is Hard

Student Health Matters: Whether you are a parent of grade schooler or a student in your senior year in college, good mental health is just as important as general health for academic success. Use our fact sheets to help you navigate problems and find resources. Back To School Life On Campus

Workplace Wellness: Most of us spend more time at work than at home. And it can cause or worsen stress. If you have a mental health condition, it could impact your work. All About Workplace Wellness.

Live Your Life Well: Our Live Your Life Well campaign provides 10 tools to help you achieve wellness. Check Out The 10 Tools

When Well Seems Far Away: If you or someone you know has a mental health or substance use condition, wellness can seem unachievable. But recovery is a reality. Learn How To Recover Your Life