The Mental Health Minute
April 1, 2022
From the CFISD Mental Health Intervention Team
Understanding Counseling Awareness Month
ACA designates April of each year as Counseling Awareness Month, a time of advocacy
for the profession and celebration of the outstanding efforts of counselors in myriad
settings as they seek to facilitate the growth and development of all people.
Counseling in the United States and the world is delivered via many human service
settings and can be found in a variety of institutions. These professionals work with people
across the life span, from childhood through the senior years.
This year’s theme—The Future is… Self-Care, Advocacy and Inclusion
#BurnBrightNotOut—is focused on some of the avenues that will help ensure a brighter
future for counselors, their clients and the counseling profession.
The information that follows in this toolkit will allow our partners and members alike to plan
and implement activities and events that call public attention to counseling and the role
of professional counselors. Your contribution to any of these strategies herein helps us to
improve awareness of the counselor’s important work.
Let’s BURN BRIGHT all month long!
What is the goal of Teal Day?
Teal Day encourages awareness of the importance of counseling and self-care for counselors as they enlighten their clients, colleagues and the greater public of the same. This growing
movement seeks to solidly insert counselors in the national mental health conversation while simultaneously aiding in extinguishing the stigma related to mental illness. It challenges
everyone to broaden their understanding of the life-changing impact of counseling—not only for the prevention and management of mental health conditions, but also in taking action to reduce their personal risk.
Prevention And Early Intervention In Mental Health
“If only” is a phrase we hear too often in mental health. If only we knew what was going on. If only they knew they weren’t alone. If only we had recognized the signs. If only we had access to treatment. If only. Unfortunately, the conversation tends to be short and after tragedy has already struck – suicides, homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration.
Fortunately, we know how to act early. Studies around the country prove over and over again that we are able to prevent or mitigate the effects of mental illness and allow individuals to live fulfilling, productive lives in the community. From the influence of genetics and prenatal health all the way into early adulthood, we are learning more about the critical points in brain development and life experiences that increase the risk for or provide protection against the development of mental health disorders. From Mental Health America
How to Talk to Your Teen About Mental Health
Teens Are in a Mental Health Crisis—Here's How Parents Can Help by Kimberly Zapata