Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. This year’s theme is “Together for Mental Health” and it is so timely as many of us have faced more isolation, worries and uncertainties.
The Grant Wood AEA Media Library has resources to borrow and our online resources also support mental health and raise awareness. See a few examples below:
Elementary Learners
- This fiction and nonfiction book pair in BookFlix provides an engaging way to discuss optimism.
- Built in vocabulary activity is aligned with the book pair to the left (from BookFlix) and includes important vocabulary words.
- PebbleGo provides brief articles with text-to-speech so even emergent readers may have access to information about feelings and emotions.
Middle & High School Learners
- Teen Health & Wellness has a virtual Calm Room. This includes visual relaxation options such as flowing waterfalls, and calming audio. The Teen Health & Wellness provides safe & easy access to mental health and wellness information. Check out this video covering the Calm Room resource, or visit our Teen Health & Wellness Wakelet.
- The Grant Wood AEA Media Library has a few books related to mental health that can be reserved for your class.
- SIRS is known for offering articles with opposing viewpoints. Build a natural conversation around mental health with teens by looking at the articles, political cartoon, and timeline discussing the question"Does society's view of mental health issues prevent people from seeking help?"
Want a professional learning opportunity? Upcoming mental health first aid trainings are open to anyone. The training is at no cost to educators within the Grant Wood AEA service area. Please help us spread the word!