Back to School
Read the article that appeared in the August 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine:
The new school year is fast approaching, which feels hard to believe. The back-to-school season is often challenging for various reasons for students, families, and school staff. Not to mention during a pandemic that is still happening! To protect our mental health during this transition, self-care – and knowing how to care for others – is more important than ever.
Mental Health America publishes a Back to School Toolkit every year with useful resources and information for students, parents, and teachers. At the time I am writing this, the 2022 toolkit has not yet been released, but you can view previous years’ toolkits at MHAnational.org/back2school.
Our country is experiencing a mental health crisis. Most alarmingly, rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among youth ages 11-17 continue to increase. Especially in times of transition such as the return to school, it is crucial that adults and youth stay educated and watch for signs of mental health challenges.
In my role at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, I offer free presentations to schools and other youth organizations about the signs of mental health conditions (including suicide) and how to get help for someone you know. Presentations are available for students, school staff, and parents. I believe that knowing what the red (or even yellow) flags are can be essential to saving someone’s life.
Across multiple mental health conditions, these are some of the common signs and symptoms* to look out for:
- Problems with concentration, memory, or ability to think clearly
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless
- Loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy
- Excessive worry
- Irritability or restlessness
- Changes in sleep
- Angry outbursts
- Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities)
`*Borrowed from MHA 2020 Back to School Toolkit (MHAnational.org/back2school)
If you notice that someone you know is showing these signs, it could mean that they need help. Free and confidential mental health screenings are available online at MHAScreening.org, where MHA suggests next steps based on your responses.
If there are serious signs that someone you know may be considering suicide or harming others, get help immediately. Call or text 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline that launched nationwide on July 16.
If you are looking for a local mental health provider or want to learn more about MHAfred’s programs, call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.
Anne-Tillery Melson is the Suicide Prevention Education Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
988 Launching July 16, 2022
The 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline launches across the United States on July 16, 2022.
988 will make it easier for people experiencing mental distress to reach trained crisis counselors. While the existing suicide prevention hotline number (1-800-273-8255) will continue to work, the new three digit number is hoped to make it simpler to call, and easier to raise awareness for the service.
To learn more about what this means:
- Visit 988lifeline.org
- Read this article in The New York Times
- Check out this Fact Sheet on 988 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Read this article about how the 988 number intersects with the MARCUS Alert and emergency services in Virginia
- Listen to the NPR Podcast It’s Been A Minute episode audio and transcript about the 988 number and crisis response
- Check out these articles about the 988 number from local news around the state: Richmond, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, Roanoke and Northern VA.
Crisis is ‘Here Now’
Connection is Critical
Check out MHAfred’s articles in the July 2022 edition of Front Porch Magazine!
An excerpt from Beyond Pride Month:
“To help people combat isolation, Carmen often starts by asking her clients: ‘What are some situations where you can be authentically you?’ and encouraging them to be in those spaces more.”
An excerpt from The Right Connection: Dee & Dave:
“Dale says of his new friend, ‘Dee is like a sister I’ve always wanted. She brings me so much joy and I think I bring her joy, too. It feels like I’ve known her for 20 years. We like the same music, and we can just talk about anything.'”
The Right Connection: Dee & Dale
Read the article that appeared in the July 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine:
At Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, we love helping our community get connected!
Each month I highlight one of our Senior Visitors Program volunteers and the senior they visit. Volunteers offer social support to older adults in our community who for various reasons may be feeling isolated. Social support is important for all of us! Having a good social network fosters resiliency and can improve our mental health as well as our physical health.
Connecting volunteers with seniors is fun and rewarding, but it is also a process. Considerations are made for geographic location, and everything from pet allergies to common interests. It can take time to find just the right connection that works for both the volunteer and the senior. When that “right connection” does happen, it is wonderful to see friendships develop and flourish. That was the case with volunteer, Dale Heck, and his new friend, Dee.
Prior to visiting with Dale, Dee tried visiting with two other volunteers, but they simply were not a good fit. Thankfully, her third volunteer, Dale, was just the friend Dee needed.
Dee says of Dale, “Dale has been a Godsend. He is just a wonderful person. I feel so comfortable with him; it is like we’ve always known each other. He’s like a brother and tells me I’m like a sister. He encourages me to get out and try things. We like to go out to eat. We also went to a concert and that was a blast! I am even walking better [because of his encouragement].”
Dale says of volunteering, “The first person that I visited wasn’t comfortable with me and that’s okay. If you are thinking about volunteering, take that first step, give it a try. Sometimes it is not a good fit, but don’t give up. There is somebody out there you can help. I feel like it is divine providence that I found the Senior Visitors Program.”
Dale says of his new friend, “Dee is like a sister I’ve always wanted. She brings me so much joy and I think I bring her joy, too. It feels like I’ve known her for 20 years. We like the same music, and we can just talk about anything.”
“Dee is very loving and kind. Though, she’s happy to be here close to her daughter, she’s a West Virginia girl who misses home. I’m trying to help her get comfortable here in Virginia. We recently went to an outdoor concert. Next, we are planning a scenic drive.”
Dee says of the Senior Visitors Program, “I thank the Senior Visitors Program for bringing us together. It has given me a new outlook.”
Dale, who also volunteers with SERVE in Stafford, goes on to say regarding his volunteer service, “Being retired is the neatest thing. I have time I can give [back to my community]. I’m having so much fun. I’m going to do this until I need someone to visit me!”
Laurie Black is the Senior Visitors Program Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
If you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, or you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.