May is Mental Health Month
Each May, we should take the time to raise awareness that mental health matters. For those living with mental or behavioral health issues, we are here to show support and to help reduce the stigma that so many people experience.
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#MentalHealthMonth #MHM2022 #parklandcommunitylibrary #mentalhealthmatters
With mental health entering more and more of our daily conversations, it’s critical that everyone has a solid foundation of knowledge about mental health. That’s why for Mental Health Month this year, Mental Health America is getting back to basics.
The tools and resources provided below introduce mental health topics like recognizing warning signs, knowing the factors that can lead to mental health conditions, maintaining mental wellness, and seeking help for mental health.
From social determinants of health to genetics, many factors are in play when it comes to mental health conditions, but there are protective measures that can prevent mental health conditions from developing or keep symptoms from becoming severe.
While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, with symptoms starting by age 24 for most people.
The average delay between symptom onset and treatment is 11 years, meaning a lot of people spend months or years facing mental health challenges before getting a diagnosis. It is never too early to seek treatment for your mental health. Intervening effectively during early stages can save lives and is critically important for people living with mental health conditions.
Social, cultural, and historical factors often impact the mental health of communities that have traditionally been marginalized. These communities experience overt racism and bigotry far too often, which leads to a mental health burden that is deeper than what others may face.
What Can I Do?
Get Screened
Life can be challenging, but every day shouldn’t feel hard or out of your control. If it does, one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening.
Your screening results can be used to start a conversation with your primary care provider or a trusted friend or family member, and you can begin to plan a course of action for addressing your mental health.
You Are Not Alone
When facing a mental health concern or living with a mental health condition, it’s common to feel like no one understands what you’re going through. You aren’t alone – help is available, and recovery is possible.
Check out our Mental Health Resource Guide to learn more about available resources, download fact sheets, and find more information in the library.
Mental Health Month Activities
De-stress with our free, printable coloring sheets and bookmarks.
May Library News
2024 We have some big May library news for you! May 25 & 27 The Library will be closed for Memorial Day. Expanded Resource Sharing Parkland Community Library’s resource sharing is expanding! On April 3rd, the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative (LCLC) joined a partnership with the Lehigh Valley Library System and several libraries in Monroe…
Parkland Art League
May 2024 Parkland Art League once again displays art at Parkland Community Library. Art at Parkland Community Library After a decade-long hiatus, the Parkland Art League has returned to display art at the library. The library had to discontinue the partnership years ago when, short on space, it needed every wall for bookshelves. Fortunately, the…
National Volunteer Month
April This month reminds us that even small acts of kindness can create a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to join the volunteerism movement. We want to spotlight a few of our volunteers! Their efforts aid the library, and The Friends of the Library promote our mission. The 2024 Unsung Heroes Award presented by the…