Community support for mental health matters.

Advocacy can help people feel more comfortable reaching out.

It’s important to make mental health an ongoing priority in our lives and communities. Community advocacy for mental health and what’s needed to support our own and our neighbor’s mental health and wellbeing can help others feel more comfortable talking about mental health, seeking help, and ensuring access to helpful resources that are available when people need them. As a result, community efforts will help:

▪ Build connections.

▪ Foster the feeling that no one is alone.

▪ Make space to gain perspective on the difficulties we and our neighbors are experiencing.

▪ Connect our neighbors to mental health services and resources in times of need.

Social media posts

▪ NAMI MN provides free education and support groups and confidential crisis resources to reach communities across the state, including those who remain disproportionately affected in the wake of recent ICE operations in Minnesota. Learn about free classes and support groups and find resources at: https://namimn.org/ice/ https://namimn.org/support/information-and-resources/

▪ Having conversations around mental health can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it can also make a big difference. Not sure where to start? Check out these tips and tools from Seize the Awkward (https://seizetheawkward.org/conversation/starting-the-conversation) to help you start the conversation and what to do during and after the conversation. #YouMatterMN

▪ Offering support is one of the best things that we can do to support the mental wellbeing of friends, family, and neighbors. However, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable, daunting, or just plain awkward. The Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends (https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/friends-supporting-friends-visible/) gives ideas on what support can look like, how to offer support, and where to begin. #YouMatterMN

▪ This guide by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides a broad approach for things we can do—at our own pace, in our own time, and within our own abilities—that can help support us in our wellness journey. Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wellness (https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma16-4958.pdf)