Mental Health Awareness

CDPH has partnered with the Office of the Surgeon General to raise awareness about mental health and to remind Californians that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Use these resources to help start important conversations about caring for mental health, reducing stress, supporting loved ones, practicing mindfulness, and more.

• Caring for Your Mental Health
  
• Help for Mental Illness
  
• Managing Stress
• Support for Family Members & Caregivers
  
• Breathing Exercises
  

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, please call 911 and explain the nature of your problem to the operator. Individuals seeking non-crisis, general Mental Health Services or information should contact their County Mental Health Department or visit the Department of Healthcare Services Individuals page.

Trauma can affect your mental and physical health in myriad ways, contributing to the development of mental health issues. Visit our Trauma Awareness toolkit for more information.

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Social Media

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Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and "save as."

Mental Health Awareness Month

Suggested Messaging: Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.

Our mental health is as important as our physical health.

Follow along as we share some resources throughout May for #MentalHealthAwareness so you can make your #GoldenStatOfMind a priority.

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5 Ways to Care for Your Mental Health 

Suggested Messaging: We can train ourselves to be intentional about caring for our mental health. Here are 5 ways to practice self-care and improve health and wellness.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/NIMH_CaringForMentalHealth

#MentalHealthAwareness #GoldenStateOfMind

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How to Recognize When a Loved One Needs Support

Suggested Messging: It's not always easy to ask for help. Learn how to recognize when a loved one needs support. We're not meant to do it alone.

For support with how to help your loved one: https://bit.ly/NAMI_FamilyMembers

#MentalHealthAwareness #GoldenStateOfMind

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Suggested Messaging: Too many stress hormones can worsen physical and/or mental health problems. Here are 7 Stress Busters that can protect our minds and bodies.

Learn more at: https://bit.ly/NAMI_StressBusters #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #GoldenStateOfMind

Take What You Need

Suggested Messaging: Allow yourself this moment to check-in and see how you're feeling. What will help you make this day a little easier? Take what you need:

Box Breathing

Suggested Messaging: 

#DYK that slowing your breathing can calm your body and help you cope with stress? Take a few minutes to try breathing exercises to relax your mind and body, like the box breathing method. 

• Inhale through your nose for a count of 4 
• Hold the air in your lungs for a count of 4 
• Exhale from your mouth for a count of 4 
• Hold the lungs in an empty state for a count of 4 
• Repeat for at least 4 rounds 
  

Check out more breathing exercises here: https://bit.ly/JED_Breathing  

#MentalHealthAwareness #GoldenStateOfMind 

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