MAY
Wellness Manager Monthly™
Seeking Mental Health Care
Taking the first step toward getting help with a mental health challenge is often the toughest one to take. This month’s theme is about striving, or supporting others, to take that first step.
National Health Observances
HealthyLife® Newsletter
Well-Being Slides
Post this short slide presentation on your onsite T.V. screens, H.R. and/or wellness program office.
Click on thumbnails to download .jpg files.
Featured Wellness Activity
Seek Help When Needed
The goal of this activity is to encourage you to seek help if you are struggling with your mental and emotional well-being.
Key Messages
Your mental health is vital to your well-being. It affects how you think and feel, handle stress, relate to others, make healthy choices, and so much more.
Taking the first steps to get help for a mental health issue are often the hardest steps to take.
Start by talking to someone you trust – a family member or a close friend. They can simply ‘hold space’ with you, acting as a sounding board to help you figure out your next steps.
If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program, seek their help in finding the care you need to feel better. Or, talk to your doctor about getting help.
Remember, you don’t have to face emotional challenges alone. Take steps, one at a time, to seek help.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and would like to talk to a crisis counselor, call the free and confidential Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988.
3 Ways to Work this Activity
Distribute Resources
Send key messages and share resources with employees, including the SMART goals from the Well-Being slides. Encourage them to seek help, one step at a time, if they are struggling with their mental health.
Ask an Expert Presentation
Invite a mental health professional to discuss a mental health topic or condition and ways to help reduce the stigma of seeking mental health services.
Mental Health Fair
Hold a mental health fair to help employees learn about mental health conditions, how to reduce their risk, and how to access care for a mental health condition.
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help
Suicide: Signs and Getting Help
Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider
Fuel Up
The purpose of this monthly feature is to highlight healthy snack and meal ideas to help you stay focused and energized throughout your workday, wherever you may be.
Corn Tortillas
This month’s featured fuel is the corn tortilla. This ready-made, whole-grain delivery vehicle for numerous nibbles is lower in fat and calories than their flour-based companion.
Worksite Ideas
Distribute the Fuel Up handout to employees along with the brief introduction of corn tortillas.
For a little fun, take a poll asking employees if they prefer corn tortillas or wheat tortillas and post the results.
Coach's Corner
This monthly feature provides another option for reinforcing a key message to employees.
Dear Health Coach,
I find myself worrying about a lot of things lately. Could I have an anxiety disorder?
Thank you,
Often Afraid
Dear Often Afraid,
A little anxiety is a good thing. It can help motivate you to perform better on any number of tasks. But, when anxiety interferes with daily life, this is a sign of a possible anxiety disorder. Some common symptoms include feeling irritable, difficulty concentrating, unwanted thoughts that won’t go away, and more. The good news is, anxiety disorders are treatable. To learn more, talk with your doctor or visit mhanational.org.
In Good Health,
Your Health Coach
Weekly Thrive Tips
The purpose of this monthly feature is to offer employees examples of simple self-care activities on a weekly basis.
Be Mindful
Move Your Way
Nourish
Sleep Well
Strengthen relationships plus stay motivated by having an exercise buddy.
Dim the lights in your home 2 hours before bedtime.
Listen with compassion. Say things like, “I’m here for you” and “Tell me more.”
Try natural sweeteners like vanilla and cinnamon in your coffee, yogurt, or hot cereal.
Communication Campaign
Here are suggested templates of weekly communications to share with employees.
Wellness Topic:
Seeking Mental Health Care
Education: Warning Signs About Mental Health
Preventive Focus:
Natural Anxiety Remedies
Participation Initiative: Mental Health Workshop
National Observance: Mental Health Month
First Day of the Month
Greetings!
Taking the first step toward getting help with a mental health challenge is often the toughest one to take. This month’s theme is about striving, or supporting others, to take that first step.
Your mental health is vital to your well-being. It affects how you think and feel, handle stress, relate to others, make healthy choices, and so much more. But, taking the first steps to get help for a mental health issue are often the hardest steps to take. Start by talking to someone you trust – a family member or a close friend. They can simply ‘hold space’ with you, acting as a sounding board to help you figure out your next steps. If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program, seek their help in finding the care you need to feel better. Or, when you are ready, talk to your doctor about getting help.
Remember, you don’t have to face emotional challenges alone. Take steps, one at a time, to seek help. If you, or someone you know, is in crisis and would like to talk to a crisis counselor, call the free and confidential Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988.
Measure Your Progress
[INSERT SMART Goal graphic]
Want to know if you’re getting closer to meeting your health and wellness goals? It helps to set smaller, monthly goals to keep you on track. Choose one of the suggested goals that’s a good fit for you, or create your own:
1. This weekend, I will talk to a trusted friend about my struggles with anxiety.
2. By the end of next week, I will take a mental health screening test at screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools.
3. I will ask my workplace Employee Assistance Provider to recommend a counselor by this Friday.
In Good Health,
1st Week of the Month
Greetings!
To learn more about mental health issues and seeking help when needed, you are invited to the upcoming Mental Health Workshop on [date/time].
To preregister for this event, click [meeting registration link]. If you cannot attend the live workshop, the video will be available on the HealthyLife portal [link here] after the live event.
For more information on one of the most common mental health disorders, read the attached article.
In Good Health,
2nd Week of the Month
Greetings!
Here is this month’s Coach’s Corner Q & A, answering a common question related to this month’s wellness theme.
In Good Health,
Attach: May Coach’s Corner
3rd Week of the Month
Greetings!
This month’s featured fuel is the corn tortilla. This ready-made, whole-grain delivery vehicle for numerous nibbles is lower in fat and calories than their flour-based companion.
In Good Health,
Attach: (Fuel Up) Tasty Corn Tortillas
4th Week of the Month
Greetings!
We hope you enjoyed Seeking Mental Health Care month and learned about the importance of taking the first step to get help for a mental health challenge.
Remember that you can view the Mental Health Workshop video on the [HealthyLife® portal link] anytime.
For information on what you can do if you think someone might be thinking about suicide, see the attached article.
In Good Health,
Attach: Suicide: Signs and Getting Help
First Day of the Month
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Health Video
Mental Health Minute: Depression
