SANTA BARBARA — May is the time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and help reduce the stigma so many experience. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.
During May, Family Service Agency, Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center, and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park join the national Mental Health Awareness Month movement. Community members can join the movement and increase their own understanding of mental illness with special events happening in May!
May 5— Adults can take a Youth Mental Health First Aid course and learn how to be a “first responder” to a young person experiencing a medical health challenge. Visit BeTheDifferenceSB.org to sign up.
May 12—Attend FSA’s presentation: The Youth Mental Health Crisis: Answering the Call with Dr. Sarah Y. Vinson, esteemed youth and child psychiatrist. This event takes place on May 12th, from 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club at Rockwood. As a public service, FSA will make a livestream version available to the public at no cost at 6:30 p.m. Visit fsacares.org/sarah-vinson to register.
May 20—Wear green. Show your support for Mental Health Awareness Month by wearing your favorite green shirt, pants or other apparel on May 20. Share a photo with the hashtag #TogetherforMentalHealth to social media to let your network know that you are a mental health advocate.
May 21— Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to assist a young person experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis using specific steps. Visit BeTheDifferenceSB.org to sign up.