It is VITAL to be PROACTIVE and TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH!
This Mindful Monday in May we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Take your mindful moment to expand your empathy for those struggling with mental illness. If you are the one struggling, know that many are working to reduce the stigma that is attached to mental illness. Many great resources available through Mental Health America.
Matt Kudish, executive director of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, of New York City, called the movement vital. "Stigma around mental illness is a significant barrier to people reaching out for the support they need. Once they do, though, they're often faced with prejudice, which further stands in the way of their ability to access meaningful care and treatment. If we truly want to help people impacted by mental illness to live better lives, we must address both."
NAMI also shared ways to reduce stigma attached to mental health/ brain disorders:
- Encourage equality between physical and mental illness
- Educate yourself and others about mental health
- Labels or stereotypes have to become a thing of the past
- Choose empowerment over shame
- Speak openly about mental health
- Show compassion for those dealing with mental illness
On March 16, 2022, the Palmyra Board of Education joined other schools and towns across New Jersey and the United States to declare our school district to be a STIGMA-FREE zone for Mental Health Awareness. We declared our commitment to creating public interest and open dialogue about stigmas, raise awareness of the disease of mental illness and creating a culture wherein residents/students who have the disease of mental illness feel supported by our school community and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of a stigma so that recovery can begin.
As part of our District goals, we will continue to share mindful reminders from our SEL Toolbox.#PalmyraProud #stigmaFREE #YOUareNOTalone #bekindsaferesponsiblerespectful #MindfulMonday