We’ve come a long way as a society in our fight to stop the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. More than ever, people know that it’s not just okay to say they need help—it’s something you should be doing. In these times it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re taking care of your own mental health and that you’re checking in with others to make sure they’re taking care of theirs.

Normalizing mental health discussion is a great first step, but what comes next? What is “help,” and how do you find it? Understanding what resources are available and how to access them is a huge part of mental health awareness, and sharing information with each other is that next important step toward a healthier community.

Great resources include the NYS Office of Mental Health, your local county mental health department, federal resources like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and a number of regional, statewide, and national mental health associations.

This month we’re sharing information on social media about mental health awareness and some tips from experts from our mental health programs. We encourage you to learn about the many mental health services we provide, from traditional clinic-based counseling at our Behavioral Health Centers and School-Based Behavioral Health Program to innovative, intensive support for unique psychiatric challenges through programs like Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and our new Youth ACT program, which kicks off later this year.

Learn more about our different programs here: https://www.northernrivers.org/our-services/behavioral-health.