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Awareness

2022 AAPI Month: Celebrating Mental Health, DEI

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Mental Health and Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

Mental Health + AAPI Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of May, recognizing the incredible ways that Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have contributed and influenced the culture, history, and achievements of the United States. California has a significant and diverse AAPI population. “AAPIs are the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S. and an immensely diverse group of people in terms of income, ethnicity, migration status, and education.” Why Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month? As readers may be aware, the AAPI community was subject to a rise in hate crimes with the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The most effective response to harmful rhetoric and attacks against the AAPI community is for our government and industry to collaborate in promoting a diverse, inclusive environment that is reflected in the policies we implement, our workforces, and …

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month

What is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month? In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives declared May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month. This is largely in part due to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder’s efforts to educate others about the disorder and its impact; these efforts seek to empower those diagnosed while reducing stigma that surrounds the disorder.  What is Borderline Personality Disorder? According to the American Psychiatric Association, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by “a long-standing pattern of instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, and self-image that is severe enough to cause extreme distress or interfere with social and occupational functioning” (APA, 2021). To meet diagnostic criteria, an individual must meet five of the following categories: frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation, identity disturbance …

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National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

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children's mental health awareness

What is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week? National Children’s Mental Health Awareness week spans May 1st through May 7th, seeking to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health while urging that positive mental health is imperative to a child’s healthy development. Positive mental health refers to good functioning in individual and social domains as well as the presence of positive emotions. Children’s mental health. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children” (2021). In fact, approximately 9.4% of children ages 2-17 have received an ADHD diagnosis; 7.4% of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with a behavioral problem; 7.1% of children ages 3-17 have an anxiety diagnosis; 3.2% of children 3-17 have been diagnosed with depression (CDC, 2021). Mental health in childhood means meeting emotional and developmental milestones, learning healthy …

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What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

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What is Mental Health Awareness Month

It’s officially May which means it’s time to show lots of love and supportive efforts for Mental Health Awareness Month. But, what is Mental Health Awareness Month and how does one support it? And what if you don’t actually have a mental illness but still want to partake in spreading awareness? Let’s find out. What is Mental Health Awareness Month? If you have a green ribbon, wear it during May to support Mental Health Awareness Month. The 2022 May theme is “Together for Mental Health.” The ups and downs of life in the last few years have proven that we can do much more together than alone. Even when we were forced to stay home, people found creative ways to be together. There is power in numbers. It’s time to use our power to advocate for mental health support for everyone who needs it, continue eliminating the stigma around mental illness, and …

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What is Alcohol Awareness Month?

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Alcohol Awareness Month in April

April is The National Alcohol Awareness Month. Since 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has sponsored the educational event. The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease of alcoholism and encourage people to seek treatment. It’s an opportunity for communities to have conversations about alcohol prevention, misuse, dependence, alcohol use disorders, and treatment options. Is There a Need for Alcohol Awareness Month? A recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 14.5 million Americans over the age of twelve and over 400,000 adolescents have an alcohol use disorder. Survey results also show that approximately 95,000 Americans die from an alcohol-related cause every year. More than ten percent of children under seventeen have a parent who is an alcoholic. Statistics like these make it obvious that there is still a need for alcohol awareness. Out of the millions with an alcohol use disorder, only 7.2% receive treatment. One …

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