2021 May is Mental Health Month: Tools 2 Thrive Continued!
The past calendar year has been stressful for everyone. We're here with some additional tools to help everyone improve their mental health, regardless of the stressors they've faced in the past. Join us for our webinars on the series to dive a little deeper into the fact sheets. We're also spotlighting some different types of mental health therapy and addressing trauma head-on in our May webinars. Mid-April begins our Decriminalization of Mental Illness Spotlight Series, where we'll explore programs in Kentucky that are moving us toward treatment of behavioral health issues and away from incarceration.

Accepting Reality
Adapting After Trauma and Stress
Dealing With Anger and Frustration
Getting Out of Thinking Traps
Processing Big Changes
​Taking Time for Yourself

Download the FULL TOOLKIT from MHA National here.

MHA Kentucky's current theme is "It's Time to Talk About It". 
We're putting together a series of events related to things it's past time we talk about - including decriminalization of mental illness, suicide prevention, new types of therapy or treatments, and peer support. All events listed are free of charge, unless otherwise noted.

Get your "It's Time to Talk About It" swag
​here before "Wear Green Day" on May 7th!

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2021 Virtual Event Schedule
April 19, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Decriminalization of Mental Illness Spotlights: Lexington Community Paramedicine Team. Register here.
April 21, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Self-Care Decoded, including Tools2Thrive Taking Time For Yourself. Register here.
April 22, 2021, 9:00am EST-5:00pm EST: Youth Mental Health First Aid Training ($40/person) Register here.
April 26, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Decriminalization of Mental Illness Spotlights: Kentucky CIT - Crisis Intervention Teams. Register here.
April 28, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Tools 2 Thrive: Processing Big Changes. Register here.
May 3, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Mental Health Month Kick-Off Zoom! Learn about Mental Health Month, explore the toolkit, etc. Register here.
May 4, 2021, 12:00pm EST: Ask an Adult Therapist with Eric Russ, PhD of Kentucky Psychological Association Register here.
May 4, 2021, 6:00pm EST-7:30pm EST: "May I Have Your Attention Please" and an expert panel on Suicide Prevention. Play produced by the historic Lyric Theatre followed by a discussion with Dr. Julie Cerel (UK College of Social Work, ASP, and more), Dr. Fareesh Kanga (HealthFirst Bluegrass, UK, NAMI Lexington), and Megan Cole of AFSP-KY. Register here.
May 6, 2021 12:00pm EST: Adventure Therapy with Life Adventure Center Register here.
May 6, 2021 7:00pm EST: Missy for MHA Kentucky - Zoom Party to combat loneliness in COVID-19. Register here
May 7, 2021: ALL DAY: Wear Green for Mental Health Day. Share your photos with us by posting publicly on social media and use #MHAKY and #WearGreen hashtags. Submit photos via email here.
May 10, 2021 12:00pm EST: Horses & Hope with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope  Register here
May 11, 2021 ALL DAY: Kentucky Gives Day! Donate this day and we'll be eligible for extra prizes. Details here.
May 11, 2021 NOON EST: Ask a Child & Adolescent Therapist in conjunction with Kentucky Psychological Association. Register here.
May 12, 2021, 9:00 am EST: Tools 2 Thrive: Dealing with Anger and Frustration. Register here.
May 14, 2021 9:00am-3:30pm EST: Mental Health First Aid Adult Virtual Course. $40/person. Register here. Email us if you need a scholarship.
May 17, 2021 12:00pm EST: Trauma-informed psychotherapies: Healing the complex impact of traumatic experiences in our bodies and our minds with Katie McBride, PhD in collaboration with the Kentucky Psychological Association. Register here.
May 19, 2021 9:00AM EST: Tools2Thrive: Adapting After Trauma and Stress. Register here.
May 21, 2021 9:00AM EST-3:30pm EST: Mental Health First Aid Adult Virtual Course. $40/person. Register here. Email us if you need a scholarship.
May 24, 2021 12:00pm EST: Tools 2 Thrive: Getting Out of Thinking Traps. Register here.
May 25, 2021 12:00pm EST: Tools 2 Thrive: Accepting Reality. Register here.
May 28, 2021 9:00am EST-3:30pm EST: Mental Health First Aid Adult Virtual Course. $40/person. Register here. Email us if you need a scholarship.

ALL of our webinars will be broadcast to our Facebook page live, and the recordings will be posted to YouTube. You can get audio-only access via The Bell Podcast with some delay after broadcast.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS TO BE AWARE OF RELATED TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:
May 11, 2021, 1:00pm EST: Government Meeting: Behavioral Health Technical Advisory Committee to KY Medicaid Information Here
May 13, 2021 Government Meeting: Kentucky Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council. Information here.

OTHER MENTAL HEALTH MONTH EVENTS WE ARE AWARE OF (Work in Progress)

2020 Mental Health Month: Tools 2 Thrive
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• Owning Your Feelings
• ​Finding the Positive After Loss
• Eliminating Toxic Influences
• ​Creating Healthy Routines
• Supporting Others
• ​Connecting with Others

Or Complete the form below to receive high-quality printed materials from MHA Kentucky:

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In 2019 we expanded upon the 2018 theme of #4Mind4Body and taking it to the next level, as we explore the topics of animal companionship (including pets and support animals), spirituality, humor, work-life balance, and recreation and social connections as ways to boost mental health and general wellness.
Learn More!

• Animal Companionship
• Spirituality and Religion
• Humor
• Work-Life Balance
• Social Connections & Recreation

While the topics above are relevant to all Americans, they may be especially important to the health of those living with chronic health conditions and the people who care for them. That's why we've put together these additional resources.

• Infographic: Chronic Health Conditions and Mental Health
• Diabetes and Mental Health
• Cancer and Mental Health
• HIV/AIDs and Mental Health
• Chronic Pain and Mental Health
• Depression and Heart Disease
• Caregiver Basics - What You Need to Know
• Being an Effective Caregiver
• Infographic: Family Caregivers

It's not too late to download the entire 2019 Mental Health Month Toolkit.

2018 Mental Health Month Toolkit included fact sheets on:

• Diet and Nutrition
• Exercise
• The Gut-Brain Connection
• Sleep
• Stress

Visit mentalhealthamerica.net/4mind4body to see what people did for our #4Mind4Body Challenge in 2018!
Download the entire 2018 toolkit here.

2017 Mental Health Month Toolkit focused on helping people identify if a behavior was risky or not.
 Fact sheets include:

• Risky Business: Marijuana
• Risky Business: Prescription Drug Misuse (PDF)
• Risky Business: Exercise (PDF)
• Risky Business: Sex (PDF)
• Risky Business: Compulsive Buying (PDF)
• Risky Business: Internet Addiction (PDF)

You can visit the entire 2017 Mental Health Month Toolkit here.

2016 Mental Health Toolkit focused on What Mental Illness Feels Like.
Fact sheets include:

• Life With Anxiety (PDF)
• Life With Depression (PDF)
• Life With Bipolar (PDF)
• Life With Psychosis (PDF)
• Life in Recovery (PDF)

Worksheets included:

• Think Ahead (PDF)
• Stopping Stupid Thoughts (PDF)
• What's Underneath? (PDF)

Explore the rest of the 2016 Toolkit here.