May is Mental Health Month

May is mental health month, and we see it as a good opportunity for everyone to stop and take a moment to check in on themselves.  Start with how you feel physically.   Are you finding yourself more and more tired?  Headaches?   Are you struggling with your appetite?  Are you having difficulty focusing on what you need to do at work or at home day to day? Do you find your thoughts are pessimistic, or that you are regularly feeling bad about yourself?  If you found yourself answering yes to any of these questions, or feel your mental health is suffering, or if you are supporting a loved one who is undergoing a mental health struggle of their own: we encourage you to build knowledge and a support network to help address your concerns, as well as shore up and reinforce your strengths.   Below is a list of educational resources and support networks to explore:

 

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America can be an excellent place to learn about different major mental health disorders and how to seek treatment.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance offers online support groups for individuals coping with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and more. They also offer support groups for friends and families of people struggling with these mental health issues. It's free to register, anonymous and confidential, and online groups can be attended without a webcam.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month by providing education, tool kits, and opportunities for outreach and advocacy..
• The Massachusetts Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers this broad database of resources for those seeking assistance managing their mental health.
• The state of Massachusetts website also offers a list of City and state mental health resources.  
• Listed here are several Boston area mental health and social services for further local support
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) provides free, 24/7 phone support to any person in distress, as well as prevention and crisis hotlines for friends and family. The number is 988 on any phone, or you can call 1-800-273-8255.
• Right Direction, an initiative to spread awareness of depression and how it shows in the workplace, offers this list of resources on their website.

• Care Dimensions is a hospice organization that also hosts numerous support groups for those struggling with grief and loss. Check out their event calendar for topics, dates and times.  

If you are looking for long term therapy, you can work either through your insurance provider’s list, which you can acquire by calling the member services support number on your insurance card.    You may also use the following online resources to search for a therapist in your area.

• Psychology Today Boston Therapists List
• The Black Mental Health Alliance
• Zencare LGBT Therapists in Boston Area
• Black Psychiatrist of America Inc.
• InnoPsych
• MBHP Provider Search Directory (masshealth only)

As always, employees, retirees, and their families may always reach out to the EAP for free confidential counseling and long term mental health referrals.  We also encourage you to browse our resource list for more.  From all of us, have a good month.