Our mental health deserves the same attention as our physical health but is far too often overlooked or ignored. The stigma associated with mental illness affects millions of people every day, leaving many of them to struggle with their mental health issues for years without support. Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month offers the possibility for individuals, friends, families and communities to collaborate in bringing awareness to mental health issues and supporting the people we care about. Cultivating empathy is essential for assisting individuals who are seeking the mental health support they need.

Join Tri-City Mental Health in celebrating California's new statewide movement, Take Action for Mental Health, and promoting mental health in Pomona, Claremont and La Verne. This year’s theme is Share for Mental Health. We know that sharing our own mental health experiences—and how we get support—has a ripple effect that inspires others to get the help they need. It’s also how we overcome stigma. So this month, we’re inviting you to:

• • • Share how you care for your mental wellness (and even better if your share includes how you are using the Take Action May resources!)
    • Share how you get support
    • Share how you overcome stigma in your family or community

Show Your Support

This month, we’re encouraging individuals, friends, families and communities to come together and share how they support their mental well-being on Take Action for Mental Health's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages by using the hashtag #Share4MH.

#Share4MH Contest: We’re also running a contest! As part of encouraging Californians to share, the first 50 California-based posts using our hashtag will get a Mental Health Matters Month gift bag.

Instagram Live Event: On May 18 at noon PST Take Action for Mentat Health will be hosting an Instagram Live event moderated by renowned mental health influencer and therapist Amber Dee (@Blackfemaletherapist), along with Owin Peirson (@owinpierson), and Anysa and Amaya Gray (@grayytwins). Amber Dee will lead a roundtable discussion with our influencer partners to share stories about their mental health journey and how they share. They will also be answering audience questions and encouraging a free flowing discussion. Make sure to join the event and share with your partners!

May Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit

Download our May Mental Health Awareness Month (MMHAM) Toolkit to discover different ways you can participate this month! Throughout May, Tri-City Mental Health is hosting different activities and challenges everyone can participate in to support Mental Health Awareness Month. Visit the Stigma Reduction page to learn more about Room4Everyone and how to join the mental health movement in Pomona, Claremont and La Verne.

• • • • Tri-City MMHAM Event Calendar
      • Tri-City MMHAM Zoom Backgrounds
        
      • Recipes for Wellness and Self-Care: These illustrated guides provide “recipes” with easy-to-follow steps for self-care, reducing stress, a healthy body and mind, social support, and mindfulness.
      • Feel Better Bops ? Mental Health Matters Month Spotify Playlist: From Beyoncé and Cyndi Lauper to Marc Anthony and Jimmy Eat World, these songs cover a range of mental health topics. Some can help uplift you while others just know where you're coming from.
      • Your Mental Wellness Plan: A quick workbook we created to help you identify what’s causing you stress and your sources of support and calm. Through self-directed questions, you can write down your stress factors, self-care actions, and people you lean on. Quickly refer back when you need it!
      • What Might Work for You? Mental Health Support Options: Check out our guide to the many ways to get support for your mental health and well-being, based on what you're ready for, what makes sense for you, and the level of support you need.

Get Involved

Reclaiming 2SQT+ Youth Thriving: An Intersectional, Anti-racist and Radical Love Approach to Suicide Prevention
Monday, May 1, 2023 | 1 pm - 2:30 pm via Zoom

Prior to European colonization, 2-SQT communities were celebrated and venerated in Indigenous and many communities worldwide. Despite this critical historical context, 2-SQT communities in the US and worldwide continue to be targeted politically and discriminated against daily. This undue stress has been linked to higher, and now rising rates of suicide among 2-SQT communities. Mental health providers have a unique responsibility in mitigating suicidal risk among 2-SQT youth, however, are often operating in a system of gatekeeping that can further hinder the health and wellbeing of 2-SQT youth. This training will review clinical applications for providing affirming support and language, discuss why intersectionality and anti-racism matters as we employ 2-SQT affirming models of care, and learn how these culturally responsive clinical applications are critical to preventing suicide and cultivating communities where 2SQT youth can thrive.

RSVP at http://bit.ly/3LrZHvV

Growing Youth Growing Gardens
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 | 2 pm - 3 pm via Zoom

Contact the Therapeutic Community Garden (TCG) at (909) 623-6131 to join our virtual garden group for young adults.

Stress Management and Relief
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | 12 pm - 1:00 pm via Zoom

Everyone experiences stress at different points in their life. But when is stress a problem that requires our attention? Stress can show up in our bodies, emotions, and behavior in many ways. The good news is there are simple things you can do every day to protect your health. Come join us in this virtual wellness webinar and learn how to better manage and bring relief from the stressors we may feel in our daily lives.

RSVP at http://bit.ly/3NezGBx

Directing Change Film Screening
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | 5 pm - 6:30 pm at Marshall Middle School
1921 Arroyo Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Come join us to watch Marshall Middle School students produce and directed films centering mental health and suicide prevention. Directing Change is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students.

Movie Night at the Wellness Center | Wonder (PG)
Friday, May 12, 2023 | 6 pm - 7:30 pm
1403 N Garey Ave, Pomona, CA

Bring your blankets and ome join us for a movie night at the Wellness Center where we will be premiering Wonder! Light refreshments included.

About Wonder (PG): Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie Pullman becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie's extraordinary journey will unite them and prove you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.

Creative Minds Art Gallery Showcase at Pomona Art Walk
Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 5 pm - 9 pm at dA Center for the Arts
252 S Main St D, Pomona, CA

Join us at the dA Center for the Arts where we will showcase Creative Minds Art Gallery. Aligned with this belief and the Room4Everyone campaign, the Creative Minds art gallery provides a unique opportunity for local artists, both with and without a mental health condition, to display their work in a community setting.

Directing Change Screening and Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 11 am - 2 pm at Theatre Ace Hotel
929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

The Directing Change Program’s 11th annual Awards Ceremony will recognize amazing youth and their inspiring films. Youth filmmakers from across California are given awards for their short films to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in several categories, including Mental Health Matters, Suicide Prevention, Through the Lens of Culture, Walk in Our Shoes, Hope and Justice, and Animated Short.
All films will all be captioned in English, and we will have an ASL interpreter on stage during the ceremony and screenings.

RSVP at http://bit.ly/41XJsf