May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the theme this year is “Look Around, Look Within.” The aim is to emphasize the ways that our surroundings affect our mental health and encourages us to take notice of our surroundings and how they affect us. This includes safe and stable housing, healthy home environments, neighborhoods and communities, and the outdoors and nature.

Our country is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. The crisis isn’t just affecting adults, it is devastating young people, and people from every background are impacted. We hope you find these resources helpful—to live your best life, or to share with others.

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA (MHA) RESOURCES

24/7 RESOURCES:

MHA Screening: Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Screens are free, confidential, and scientifically validated.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in distress – you don’t need to be suicidal to reach out. Call 1-800-273-8255 to be connected with a crisis counselor. Crisis counselors who speak Spanish are available at 1-888-628-9454.

988 Textline: When you text 988, you will complete a short survey letting the crisis counselor know a little about your situation. You will be connected with a trained crisis counselor in a crisis center who will answer the text, provide support, and share resources if needed.

Crisis Text Line: If you prefer texting to talking on the phone, text MHA to 741-741 to be connected with a crisis counselor who will help you get through your emotions.

Warmlines: Warmlines are staffed by trained peers who have been through their own mental health struggles and know what it’s like to need someone to talk to.

SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING

• Housing
• Social Determinants of Health
• When Home Life is Hard – Adults
• When Home Life is Hard – Youth
• Understanding Abuse
• When Family Members Are Abusive
• Eliminating Toxic Influences

HEALTHY HOME ENVIRONMENTS

• Working From Home with ADHD
• How Can I Manage My Mental Health While Working from Home?
• 5 Ways to Stay Focused When You Have No Dedicated Workspace
• How Do I Stay Clean and Sober While I’m Stuck at Home?
• Helping at Home – Tips for Parents
• How to Deal with Homesickness in College
• How to Deal with Roommate Problems
• I Can’t Sleep!
• Sleep Deprivation
• Creating Healthy Routines

NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES

• Talking to Kids About Fear and Violence
• Community Care
• How Can I Get Mental Health Help in a Small Community?
• Social Support: Getting and Staying Connected
• Feeling Lonely in a Crowd
• I Don’t Feel Like I Belong Anywhere

OUTDOORS & NATURE

Studies have shown significant benefits of spending time in nature, including greater creativity, lower levels of stress, increased self-esteem, and reduced anxiety. Being in green spaces, such as a park or other natural environment, for as little as two hours per week has been shown to have a significant positive impact on both physical health and psychological health. 

• 18 Ways to Cope with Frustration

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Steps to Live a Mentally Healthier Life

Christian Mental Health Resource

29 Ways To Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month 

Need Prayer or Support?

Let us know how we can pray for you by clicking the button below. We would be happy to call you or add you to our prayer list. All requests are kept confidential within our Prayer and Pastoral Teams.

Are You Looking for an Ongoing Counselor?

One resource is Christian Counselors in the Bay Area. We do not endorse any specific counselor or organization. You can also consider asking your primary care physician or checking with your in-network insurance company.

Questions? Email info@nbccbayarea.com