Supporting Children and their families
A Connected Child is a Protected Child
MAY IS
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Strong Families Alliance of Alameda County joins Mental Health America in encouraging individuals to look around and look within. From your neighborhood to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to mental health conditions. We encourage
everyone to consider how the world around them effects their mental health.
• Mental Health America’s 2023 Mental Health Month toolkit provides free, practical resources, including information about
how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain
mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges.
• Your surroundings can impact if, how, and when your needs are met, which in turn affects your mental health. However,
you can take steps to change your space and protect your well-being.
• If you constantly feel worried or sad about where you live, 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 at mhascreening.org.
HOUSING STABILITY AND HOME ENVIRONMENT
• Having safe, stable, and healthy home conditions set the foundation for achieving and maintaining good mental health.
• For many people, not having a true “home base” to consistently return to can leave them feeling distressed, disconnected,
or isolated. Stable housing allows individuals to develop routines and connections to their local community, which are
beneficial for mental health.
• Wherever you call “home,” it should give you feelings of comfort, support, and calmness. If not, there are things you can do
to your space to help you be more productive, reach your goals, and improve your mental health.
COMMUNITY
• The area, or ZIP code, that you live in plays a significant role in how healthy you are.
• A strong sense of community within neighborhoods protects mental health through shared support, resources, and joy.
• Challenges like gentrification, community violence, and lack of access to resources can negatively impact mental
health. While many of these can be out of your control, being an advocate for change and making healthy community
connections can bring hope.
NATURE
• Spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes, including improved focus, lower stress,
better mood, reduced risk of developing mental health conditions, and a sense of connection to yourself, community, and
purpose.
• Being around nature doesn’t have to mean hiking in a forest. It can be walking in a park, bringing a plant inside, or sitting
in your backyard.
Click here to learn about how to keep babies safe while sleeping.
Perinatal Equity Initiative
Black women and birthing people face challenges that stem from policies and systems rooted in racism. They are twice as likely to live in poverty or to experience hardships, such as homelessness or the incarceration of a loved one, during pregnancy. In addition, chronic, transgenerational exposure to racism results in toxic stress that has been shown to have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of Black individuals, regardless of income or education levels.
It is time for all of us to work together to change this story. Find out what you can do to help by following @DeliverBirthJustice and visiting Deliverbirthjustice.org.
Mandated Reporter Training
Professionals working with children, including those who employ people under 18, are Mandated Reporters and required to report their suspicion of abuse or neglect. To learn more and schedule a training,
Raising children can be difficult. Oftentimes, parents and caregivers just need to talk. To someone. To offer support, tips, ideas, and services. Call today and find out all that is available to you and those you provide care for!
