{"id":6223,"date":"2024-04-05T14:47:12","date_gmt":"2024-04-05T18:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/?p=6223"},"modified":"2024-04-09T13:16:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T17:16:34","slug":"navigating-mental-health-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/navigating-mental-health-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating Mental Health Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><button id=\"listenButton1\" class=\"responsivevoice-button\" type=\"button\" value=\"Play\" title=\"ResponsiveVoice Tap to Start\/Stop Speech\"><span>&#128266; Listen to this article<\/span><\/button>\n        <script>\n            listenButton1.onclick = function(){\n                if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){\n                    responsiveVoice.cancel();\n                }else{\n                    responsiveVoice.speak(\"Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month: a recognition of mental health and its impact throughout our country. The number of people seeking and receiving mental health services has increased significantly since 2020, as such services began to be covered by most health insurance plans. Yet despite efforts to expand the supply and distribution of health care professionals, demand for their services continues to grow. Online therapy providers have stepped in to address the need, but more than half of adults with a mental illness are not receiving treatment. Considering the lingering effects of the pandemic, financial anxiety, increased social media consumption, and the ongoing substance abuse crisis, the current state of American mental health is worrisome. In fact, youth mental health is worsening, and the prevalence of mental illness among adults has been increasing as well, including the rate of suicidal ideation. In the workplace, burnout continues to be an issue, with half of employees in a 2024 survey saying they felt burned out in the past year. With those facts in mind, how can we support our colleagues, friends, and family in May and beyond? How can we prepare for conversations about mental health at work, so everyone feels comfortable discussing this important topic? Below you\u2019ll find some actions you can take, plus a curated list of reputable resources for further learning. Supporting Colleagues We get it\u2026 mental health can be a taboo topic, especially in the workplace. When has it ever been socially acceptable to declare \u201cI\u2019m late on my assignments because I had a debilitating panic attack yesterday\u201d? Or even just \u201cI\u2019m feeling really burned out, I\u2019m going to take a mental health day.\u201d The answer is that it never has been, although by today\u2019s standards, those comments are slightly more acceptable and commonplace than they were 10 or 20 years ago.\u00a0 But mental health doesn\u2019t have to carry a stigma. 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, and 1 in 20 adults experience severe mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). That means, if you are a mid-sized enterprise of roughly 500 people, 100 individuals within your organization may be experiencing mental illness, and 25 of them will experience it severely. And that\u2019s just within any given twelve-month period.\u00a0 The rate of mental illness increases when you look at an individual\u2019s lifespan, with 46 percent of Americans meeting the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people developing conditions by the age of 14. With that knowledge in mind, it\u2019s certainly curious why we don\u2019t address mental health more often.\u00a0 Here are some tips to help you better navigate mental health conversations in your workplace. 1) Be open, but don\u2019t pry Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month is by no means an open invitation to ask your coworkers if they have a specific diagnosis. It is, however, an opportunity to be open to and accepting of conversations around mental health. If a coworker confides in you, make sure to listen. Don\u2019t argue with or even relate to their experience. Be attentive and really listen to understand. This conversation is about them, not you. Even the well meaning \u201cI had that same experience when\u2026\u201d can unintentionally minimize your coworker\u2019s experience. Thank them for trusting you, and ask thoughtful questions about how they are feeling and how you can help, but don\u2019t pry into their medical history or deepest thoughts.\u00a0 2) Be mindful of your language and behaviors Even if you hold no conscious biases against people with mental health diagnoses, or have experienced a mental health diagnosis yourself, you may inadvertently use biased language or behavior. Often, unexamined, unconscious biases and deeply-ingrained linguistic habits combine in ways that make us say or do things we don\u2019t actually believe. Take, for example, the casual use of terms such as OCD, ADD, or depressed, as in \u201cMy boss didn\u2019t like my presentation. It\u2019s depressing.\u201d Yes, this instance might make you feel sad, disappointed, or worried, but it\u2019s dangerous to compare everyday, temporary feelings and emotions to serious and often chronic diagnoses.\u00a0 3) Encourage involvement Can you think of a coworker who might be burned out or dealing with severe work-related stress? Invite them on a walk, ask to grab a cup of coffee, or set up a Zoom check-in. Small breaks and socialization, or even just some time in the sun, are good ways to improve mental health and acuity. Even if your coworker often declines, keep inviting them, so they feel included and can choose for themselves what to take part in. The same sentiment applies to your strong coworkers \u2014 those who seem less or not impacted by the late nights and long hours. Check in on people, give them space to speak up, and be present. 5) Encourage utilization of additional support and resources. While it\u2019s great that your coworkers feel confident talking to you, it\u2019s also important that they seek the professional support they may need. Remind them of your organization\\'s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available, or encourage them to get a referral from their primary care provider.\u00a0 Supporting Friends and Family Although many of the tips above apply to friends and family as well, here are some additional, more personal tips you can put to use with the people who are closest to you. 1) Take care of yourself. To be able to care for those around you, you must first take care of yourself. You can\u2019t support the people you love if you\u2019re run down, sick, or generally unwell. You may want to spend all of your energy doing what you think your loved one needs, but it cannot be at the expense of your own well-being. Make sure you\u2019re getting enough sleep, even if your loved one wants to talk late into the night. Don\u2019t feel obligated to answer the phone every single time they call. If it\u2019s disrupting your work or personal life, it\u2019s OK to set boundaries. Make sure your friend or family member knows that you are there for them, but you\u2019re not on-call 24\/7. Again \u2014 you can\u2019t help them if you can\u2019t help yourself. 2) Encourage media boundaries People of all ages, but especially teenagers and young adults, have been highly impacted by the proliferation of negative media, including social media. With news available in the palm of your hand, or even in places you least expect, like the company #Slack channel, media are often hard to avoid.\u00a0 Alarmingly, obsessive use of social media by adolescents and teens can lead to attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsive disorder, disruption of proper mental functions, paranoia, and loneliness, according to the ADAA. Between online bullying, FOMO (fear of missing out), and simply the repeated exposure to news stories such as the war in Ukraine, mass shootings, and climate change, it\u2019s no surprise that the media is partially to blame for declining mental health. As such, it\u2019s important to encourage people to set media limits, especially younger adults. And don\u2019t forget to set limits for yourself. This could look like enabling Screen Time controls on your phone or agreeing to only turn on the news 2-3 times a week.\u00a0\u00a0 3) Learn as much as you can and show interest in your family member or friend\u2019s treatment plan Learn about your loved one\u2019s condition, the available treatment plans, and their preferred path forward. Then, hold them accountable. Are they supposed to take medicine every morning? Check in with them in a non-judgemental way or offer to send them daily reminders. Are they supposed to get more exercise? Offer to join them at the gym or on a walk each weekend. Get involved and encourage them to stick to their treatment protocol. However, just because you\u2019ve read up on their diagnosis and understand their current treatment plan, does not qualify you as a mental health professional. Do not suggest changes to their treatment or suggest an alternative diagnosis without consulting their care provider. 4) Express your support verbally and behaviorally Spoken and nonverbal communication can reduce stress levels and promote a positive mindset. Try simple phrases such as \u201cThis isn\u2019t your fault. Mental illness can impact anyone,\u201d and \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this together.\u201d You may also engage in nonverbal actions such as a big hug and smile when you see them or a pat on the back when they seem to be improving. Don\u2019t underestimate the power of consistent and genuine encouragement. 5) Prepare a crisis plan If you have a child, partner, parent, roommate, or other loved one with a severe mental health condition, you may need to prepare for a crisis. Make sure to have important phone numbers on hand, such as your local crisis intervention team, or your loved one\u2019s PCP or therapist. Discuss this plan with at least one other person, so that you are not alone in case of an emergency. There are a plethora of other tips and best practices available to support those around you who have mental health conditions. However, we hope this guide has armed you with some top pieces of advice both in the workplace and at home or in your community. Perhaps some of these tips inspired you to ask for help with your own diagnosis, or maybe they simply sparked an open and honest dialogue with your team.\u00a0 If you are interested in additional mental health resources, please see the list below, or email info@thediversitymovement.com for custom training opportunities.\u00a0 National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental Health by the Numbers\u00a0 Learning to Help Your Child and Your Family Supporting Recovery Maintaining a Healthy Relationship Taking Care of Yourself How to Help a Friend Disclosing to Others Tackling Mental Health Stigma Mental Health America The State Of Mental Health In America Helping At Home: Tips For Parents Center for Workplace Mental Health by the American Psychiatric Association Employer Resources Kaela Sosa, CDE, is Curriculum and Programming Manager at The Diversity Movement as well as one of its founding members. With a degree in Psychology and Gender Studies, Kaela has fought for the visibility and acknowledgement of issues pertaining to underrepresented groups for nearly a decade. Connect with her on Linkedin.\", \"US English Male\");\n                }\n            };\n        <\/script>\n    <\/br><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month: a recognition of mental health and its impact throughout our country. The number of people seeking and receiving mental health services has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/794027\/mental-health-treatment-counseling-past-year-us-adults\/#:~:text=Mental%20health%20treatment%20or%20counseling,2002%2D2022&amp;text=In%202022%2C%20around%2055.8%20million,health%20within%20the%20past%20year\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased significantly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since 2020, as such services began to be covered by most health insurance plans. Yet despite efforts to expand the supply and distribution of health care professionals, demand for their services <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/blog\/mismatch-between-mental-health-care-access-and-demand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continues to grow<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Online therapy providers have stepped in to address the need, but more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mhanational.org\/issues\/state-mental-health-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">half of adults with a mental illness are not receiving treatment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering the lingering effects of the pandemic, financial anxiety, increased social media consumption, and the ongoing substance abuse crisis, the current state of American mental health is worrisome. In fact, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ojjdp.ojp.gov\/news\/juvjust\/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-social-media-and-youth-mental-health#:~:text=U.S.%20Surgeon%20General%20Dr.,harms%20social%20media%20use%20poses.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">youth mental health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is worsening, and the prevalence of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mhanational.org\/issues\/state-mental-health-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental illness among adults has been increasing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well, including the rate of suicidal ideation. In the workplace, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Support-Education\/Publications-Reports\/Survey-Reports\/The-2024-NAMI-Workplace-Mental-Health-Poll\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">burnout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues to be an issue, with half of employees in a 2024 survey saying they felt burned out in the past year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With those facts in mind, how can we support our colleagues, friends, and family in May and beyond? How can we prepare for conversations about mental health at work, so everyone feels comfortable discussing this important topic? Below you\u2019ll find some actions you can take, plus a curated list of reputable resources for further learning. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Supporting Colleagues<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We get it\u2026 mental health can be a taboo topic, especially in the workplace. When has it ever been socially acceptable to declare \u201cI\u2019m late on my assignments because I had a debilitating panic attack yesterday\u201d? Or even just \u201cI\u2019m feeling really burned out, I\u2019m going to take a mental health day.\u201d The answer is that it never has been, although by today\u2019s standards, those comments are slightly more acceptable and commonplace than they were 10 or 20 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But mental health doesn\u2019t have to carry a stigma. 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, and 1 in 20 adults experience severe mental illness, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/NAMI\/media\/NAMI-Media\/Infographics\/NAMI_YouAreNotAlone_2020_FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NAMI). That means, if you are a mid-sized enterprise of roughly 500 people, 100 individuals within your organization may be experiencing mental illness, and 25 of them will experience it severely. And that\u2019s just within any given twelve-month period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rate of mental illness increases when you look at an individual\u2019s lifespan, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15939837\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">46 percent of Americans meeting the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people developing conditions by the age of 14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With that knowledge in mind, it\u2019s certainly curious why we don\u2019t address mental health more often.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some tips to help you better navigate mental health conversations in your workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>1) Be open, but don\u2019t pry<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month is by no means an open invitation to ask your coworkers if they have a specific diagnosis. It is, however, an opportunity to be open to and accepting of conversations around mental health. If a coworker confides in you, make sure to listen. Don\u2019t argue with or even relate to their experience. Be attentive and really listen to understand. This conversation is about them, not you. Even the well meaning \u201cI had that same experience when\u2026\u201d can unintentionally minimize your coworker\u2019s experience. Thank them for trusting you, and ask thoughtful questions about how they are feeling and how you can help, but don\u2019t pry into their medical history or deepest thoughts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>2) Be mindful of your language and behaviors<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you hold no conscious biases against people with mental health diagnoses, or have experienced a mental health diagnosis yourself, you may inadvertently use biased language or behavior. Often, unexamined, unconscious biases and deeply-ingrained linguistic habits combine in ways that make us say or do things we don\u2019t actually believe. Take, for example, the casual use of terms such as OCD, ADD, or depressed, as in \u201cMy boss didn\u2019t like my presentation. It\u2019s depressing.\u201d Yes, this instance might make you feel sad, disappointed, or worried, but it\u2019s dangerous to compare everyday, temporary feelings and emotions to serious and often chronic diagnoses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>3) Encourage involvement<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you think of a coworker who might be burned out or dealing with severe work-related stress? Invite them on a walk, ask to grab a cup of coffee, or set up a Zoom check-in. Small breaks and socialization, or even just some time in the sun, are good ways to improve mental health and acuity. Even if your coworker often declines, keep inviting them, so they feel included and can choose for themselves what to take part in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The same sentiment applies to your strong coworkers \u2014 those who seem less or not impacted by the late nights and long hours. Check in on people, give them space to speak up, and be present.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>5) Encourage utilization of additional support and resources.<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s great that your coworkers feel confident talking to you, it\u2019s also important that they seek the professional support they may need. Remind them of your organization&#8217;s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available, or encourage them to get a referral from their primary care provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Supporting Friends and Family<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although many of the tips above apply to friends and family as well, here are some additional, more personal tips you can put to use with the people who are closest to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>1) Take care of yourself.<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be able to care for those around you, you must first take care of yourself. You can\u2019t support the people you love if you\u2019re run down, sick, or generally unwell. You may want to spend all of your energy doing what you think your loved one needs, but it cannot be at the expense of your own well-being. Make sure you\u2019re getting enough sleep, even if your loved one wants to talk late into the night. Don\u2019t feel obligated to answer the phone every single time they call. If it\u2019s disrupting your work or personal life, it\u2019s OK to set boundaries. Make sure your friend or family member knows that you are there for them, but you\u2019re not on-call 24\/7. Again \u2014 you can\u2019t help them if you can\u2019t help yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>2) Encourage media boundaries<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People of all ages, but especially teenagers and young adults, have been highly impacted by the proliferation of negative media, including social media. With news available in the palm of your hand, or even in places you least expect, like the company #Slack channel, media are often hard to avoid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alarmingly, obsessive use of social media by adolescents and teens can lead to attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsive disorder, disruption of proper mental functions, paranoia, and loneliness, according to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adaa.org\/news\/social-media-and-teen-depression-two-go-hand-hand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADAA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Between online bullying, FOMO (fear of missing out), and simply the repeated exposure to news stories such as the war in Ukraine, mass shootings, and climate change, it\u2019s no surprise that the media is partially to blame for declining mental health. As such, it\u2019s important to encourage people to set media limits, especially younger adults. And don\u2019t forget to set limits for yourself. This could look like enabling Screen Time controls on your phone or agreeing to only turn on the news 2-3 times a week.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>3) Learn as much as you can and show interest in your family member or friend\u2019s treatment plan<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn about your loved one\u2019s condition, the available treatment plans, and their preferred path forward. Then, hold them accountable. Are they supposed to take medicine every morning? Check in with them in a non-judgemental way or offer to send them daily reminders. Are they supposed to get more exercise? Offer to join them at the gym or on a walk each weekend. Get involved and encourage them to stick to their treatment protocol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, just because you\u2019ve read up on their diagnosis and understand their current treatment plan, does not qualify you as a mental health professional. Do not suggest changes to their treatment or suggest an alternative diagnosis without consulting their care provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>4) Express your support verbally and behaviorally<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spoken and nonverbal communication can reduce stress levels and promote a positive mindset. Try simple phrases such as \u201cThis isn\u2019t your fault. Mental illness can impact anyone,\u201d and \u201cWe\u2019ll get through this together.\u201d You may also engage in nonverbal actions such as a big hug and smile when you see them or a pat on the back when they seem to be improving. Don\u2019t underestimate the power of consistent and genuine encouragement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>5) Prepare a crisis plan<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a child, partner, parent, roommate, or other loved one with a severe mental health condition, you may need to prepare for a crisis. Make sure to have important phone numbers on hand, such as your local crisis intervention team, or your loved one\u2019s PCP or therapist. Discuss this plan with at least one other person, so that you are not alone in case of an emergency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a plethora of other tips and best practices available to support those around you who have mental health conditions. However, we hope this guide has armed you with some top pieces of advice both in the workplace and at home or in your community. Perhaps some of these tips inspired you to ask for help with your own diagnosis, or maybe they simply sparked an open and honest dialogue with your team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are interested in additional mental health resources, please see the list below, or email <\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@thediversitymovement.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">info@thediversitymovement.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for custom training opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/mhstats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health by the Numbers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Your-Journey\/Family-Members-and-Caregivers\/Learning-to-Help-Your-Child-and-Your-Family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning to Help Your Child and Your Family<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Your-Journey\/Family-Members-and-Caregivers\/Supporting-Recovery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supporting Recovery<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Your-Journey\/Family-Members-and-Caregivers\/Maintaining-a-Healthy-Relationship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining a Healthy Relationship<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Your-Journey\/Family-Members-and-Caregivers\/Taking-Care-of-Yourself\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking Care of Yourself<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Blogs\/NAMI-Blog\/March-2016\/Want-to-Know-How-to-Help-a-Friend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Help a Friend<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Your-Journey\/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness\/Disclosing-to-Others\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disclosing to Others<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/Support-Education\/Video-Resource-Library\/Tackling-Mental-Health-Stigma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tackling Mental Health Stigma<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Mental Health America<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mhanational.org\/issues\/state-mental-health-america\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The State Of Mental Health In America<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mhanational.org\/helping-home-tips-parents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping At Home: Tips For Parents<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Center for Workplace Mental Health by the American Psychiatric Association<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/workplacementalhealth.org\/employer-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employer Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/thediversitymovement.com\/team\/kaela-sosa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Kaela Sosa<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, CDE, is Curriculum and Programming Manager at The Diversity Movement as well as one of its founding members. With a degree in Psychology and Gender Studies, Kaela has fought for the visibility and acknowledgement of issues pertaining to underrepresented groups for nearly a decade. Connect with her on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kaela-kovach-galton\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linkedin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since 1949, May has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Month: a recognition of mental health and its impact throughout our country. 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