Mental Health Awareness Month

Duluth Public Schools Weekly Newsletter in May

Finding Help For Your Mental Health

When your mental health is off, it is important to find the help that is right for you. Where you go for help will depend on what is occurring within your life. Often the best place to start is to talk with those that you already have connections with, including your friends and family, your primary care doctor, school staff, spiritual advisor, or local mental health organizations.


Help can be found in many places and depends on what type of support you may need. It can start with participating in some self-care, or by engaging in conversations or healthy activities with a supportive person in order to help you process things, problem solve, or to engage in conversations that you enjoy.


If the problems in your life are stopping you from functioning well or feeling good, professional help can make a big difference. Even if you're not sure that you'd benefit from professional help, it can't hurt to explore the possibility. Engaging in more formal services can help you:

▪ develop plans for solving problems

▪ feel stronger in the face of challenges

▪ change behaviors that may hold you back

▪ look at ways of thinking that may affect how you feel or behave

▪ heal pains from your past

▪ figure out your goals

▪ build self-confidence

Northland Children's Mental Health Collaborative

This website is a directory of various children's mental health providers across our Northland including some information about the services they provide.

Third Week Of May In Classrooms

Students this week will participate in a mental health related lesson about supportive people and how to seek help when in need. Students in secondary schools will also learn about the new national 988 Mental Health Crisis Line number.
Talk With Someone

Talk With Someone

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life.


Warm lines and peer support can be valuable for those experiencing stress. You do not need to be in immediate crisis to call the warm line. Anyone seeking support may call the Minnesota Warm Line for Peer Support Connection at 1-844-739-0369 between 5pm to 9am. Mental Health Minnesota also offers a warm line, their services are available Monday- Saturday from noon to 10pm by calling 1-877-404-3190 or texting the word Support to 85511.


The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential crisis support for people in distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help. #YouMatterMN

Talk With Someone
Supporting Families Parenting Series

Supporting Families Parenting Series

HDC Parent Education Event:

Recognize Warning Signs and Helping Your Child Respond

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

5:30-7 p.m.

Zoom Virtual Meeting


This event will focus on identifying signs of emotional distress, peer conflicts and pressure, and how to communicate with your child and help them respond. We will also explore how you as a parent are able to regulate and respond to your child.


This is a free 90-minute seminar. No prior assessments or relationship to HDC is needed to attend.

Supporting Families Parenting Series
Parent Education Event Registration

If you are interesting in attending the parent education event above please click on this link to bring you to a website to get registered.

My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?

My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?

First, determine how much your symptoms interfere with your daily life.


Do I have mild symptoms that have lasted for less than 2 weeks?

  • Feeling a little down
  • Feeling down, but still able to do job, schoolwork, or housework
  • Some trouble sleeping
  • Feeling down, but still able to take care of yourself or take care of others


If so, here are some self-care activities that can help:

  • Exercising (e.g., aerobics, yoga)
  • Engaging in social contact (virtual or in person)
  • Getting adequate sleep on a regular schedule
  • Eating healthy
  • Talking to a trusted friend or family member
  • Practicing meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness


If the symptoms above do not improve or seem to be worsening despite self-care efforts, talk to your health care provider.


Do I have severe symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more?

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes
  • Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
  • Unable to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
  • Thoughts of death or self-harm


Seek professional help:

  • Psychotherapy (talk therapy)—virtual or in person; individual, group, or family
  • Medications
  • Brain stimulation therapies


For help finding treatment, visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage.

If you are in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org, or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
NIH Publication No. 22-MH-8134

My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?
Duluth Public Schools Mental Health Webpage

Our webpage includes information about mental health services across Duluth Public Schools including contact information for School Social Workers, Counselors & Psychologists as well as information about therapy services in our schools & community.

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For More Information About This Newsletter or Mental Health Services Across Duluth Public Schools

Contact:

Callie DeVriendt, MSW, LICSW

District Mental Health & Social, Emotional Behavioral Multi-Tiered System of Supports Coordinator

callie.devriendt@isd709.org