May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mon, 15 May 2023 09:28:30 -0400
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Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness. UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the movement with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime. We are in this together, indeed, we are stronger together for mental health.

#More Than Enough is this year's motto from NAMI: more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked here.

NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects that influence individual journeys, including people living with a disability. They also link to this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important.

One challenging area is ending the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - On Our Own of Maryland's Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that support mental health by working to end stigma. More information on their campaign is linked here.

In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:

Students (undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:

UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes

In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities

Online support via Togetherall, Welltrack and Kognito.

Mind Spa

Wellness Initiative (link)

Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer

UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group

Faculty and staff mental health supports available through Human Resources include:

Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through employee health benefits.

EAP provides 24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)

UMBC's Wellness Initiative provides a range of activities that support mental health

If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via Student Disability Services (link) and work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services (link). ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.

Community

While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:

988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support

Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741

Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services

Have a safe and healthy month!