May 5, 2020
Dear Friends,
Are you feeling a bit of relief with the slight easing of restrictions this week? I hope you find comfort in the present and appreciate the greater good in the sacrifices you continue to make -- know that you are saving the lives of others by staying home. Thank you!
Each May, we recognize mental health awareness month and work to increase conversation and reduce stigma around mental health. Now, more than ever, mental health matters.
Nearly one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness.
As many as one in six children in the United States between the ages of 6 and 17 has a treatable mental health disorder.
Mental health and substance use disorders increase substantially during, following, and peak at one year after a natural disaster.
Similarly, increased substance use and mental health disorders are prevalent during and following a quarantine period.
What can you do?
Talk about it. Normalizing talking about difficult emotions and feelings, such as stress, grief, or loss, so as to help others do the same. Share your stories as widely as you feel comfortable.
Check in. Ask friends, family, and neighbors who may be at risk if they are okay.
Know the signs. Changes in behavior, excessive worry, substance abuse, and many more signs may indicate a mental illness. Educate yourself and others.
Ask for help. Or help others ask for help. Resources and services are available and willing to help.
Give back. If you are able to support our community with a financial contribution right now, we invite you to join #GivingTuesdayNow. Your gift will be utilized right away to provide life-changing, science-based, and compassionate mental health and substance use services to individuals and families in the Bay Area. A gift of any size will make a difference today!
Take care of yourselves and your families. If you or a loved one are struggling more significantly with mental health or behavioral health concerns, please see the list of resources in the “What can you do?” part of this email above.
I thank you for your ongoing support of Caminar, our divisions, and our work to improve the health and wellness of our community. Please reach out if you need anything; we are available by phone at 1-650-372-4080 or email at info@caminar.org.
Stay healthy,
Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH
Chief Executive Officer
P.S. If you find this information valuable, we invite you to support Caminar’s work with a donation. #GivingTuesdayNow
