top of page

WALKING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The official kick-off of Mental Health Awareness Month included the reading of the proclamation by Commissioner Wheeler, comments regarding York’s mental health initiatives, followed by The Mayor announcing the kick-off of the walk. The staff and community were invited to walk along for a short walk around the block.

280103433_2882051462090845_8803991383849004645_n_edited.jpg
IMG_6183.JPEG
Picture1.jpg

YORK LIGHTS UP GREEN

Thank you to businesses, schools, churches & neighborhoods that helped to shine the light on mental health & wellness by lighting up  green. 

CATCH GREEN WITH

THE REVS

Describe the key features of the service and how users can benefit from it.

Got Your Back Challenge BANNER (2).png

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! As part of our continuing efforts to reach and support the young people of York, we engaged a social media management agency run by York, PA natives to help develop a unique social media campaign for this year's Mental Health Awareness Month activities.  
 

On this page you'll find more information about our #GotYourBackChallenge on TikTok, explore resources for parents, students, and families to discuss mental health awareness, and more. 

Participate in a TikTok Challenge

#GotYourBackChallenge

Follow Us On TikTok 

  • TikTok

Why was the #GotYourBackChallenge created?
We wanted to build a social media challenge that would truly reflect the voices and needs of young people today. To do that, we spoke to focus groups of students grades 7th-12th across York County.

 

We asked them about their relationship with mental health — is it something they talk about with friends, family, or others? Do they feel like they have the support they need?

​

Here is what we heard....

"I feel like I am the only one struggling."

"Mental health issues are isolating and lonely."

"It's hard to ask for help."

"It's kinda awkward to talk about mental health."

"How do I bring it up without seeming weird?"
"I don't know how to say it, but I want my peers to know I'm here."

​

Overwhelmingly, the young adults of our focus groups wanted to create a fun, easy way to let others know "I've got your back!" — that they are never alone. Hence, the challenge was born.

​

​

How can I participate in the challenge?

Let other's know that you're here to support them during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond by participating in the #GotYourBackChallenge.

​

Step 1: Film Your Video

 Find a fun way to say or show "I've got your back" Get creative! Recruit friends or family members to join in. Need ideas or inspiration? Check out @gotyourbackchallenge on TikTok!

​

Pro Tip: Many TikTok challenges will utilize the same "sound" (background song). Though it is not required, we are suggesting the use of ELO's Mr. Blue Sky which can be found on TikTok here.

 

Watch examples:

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

​
 

Step 2: Post Your Video

Post your creation to your personal TikTok channel and use the hashtag #GotYourBackChallenge.
 

If you are not a TikTok user, don't worry! You can still participate by sharing your video on any other social platform you already have, such as Facebook or Instagram.
 

Step 3: Spread the Word

Encourage others to participate by tagging them in your post or sending your video to them to inspire their own #GotYourBackChallenge video. 
Lastly, you can tag us at @GotYourBackChallenge on TikTok, and @YorkCountyHumanServices on Facebook or Instagram so we can share your video. 

​

TOOLKIT

If you are an education partner, community organization, coach, youth group facilitator, non-profit, corporate partner and would like to issue the #GotYourBackChallenge to your own communities,  check out our Challenge Toolkit for social media posts, e-blast templates and more!

​

 

​
 

Why TikTok?

If you are a TikTok user, you are probably familiar with how fun, engaging and entertaining TikTok can be! It's the perfect place for a creative challenge like this. And we know that young people can be reached on TikTok, because in 2021 alone, 47% of TikTok users were between the ages of 10-29, and it is the largest social media platform in the world with more than 1 billion active users (source).

Screen Shot 2022-04-25 at 8.15.15 PM.png
TikTok Challenge

"What We Wish You Knew"

Parent's Awareness Video 

We often ask young people about discussing their mental health with their parents.  When it comes to talking to parents about these topics, many kids feel misunderstood or misheard. There is so much that young adults "wish their parents knew" about their experiences - and challenges - with mental health.

 

To help bridge this gap, we created a PSA style video meant for parents, featuring real students, real feedback they shared with us. This video serves to educate parents about the feelings of young people today and to provide resources to make the conversation around mental health easier for us all.

 

Watch the video here, and then share the video with your friends, family and communities on social media to help spread this powerful message!

​

​

PSA Video for Parents

Resources 

Curated from Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
 

MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

  • Center for Young Women’s Health and Young Men’s Health: These websites provide information targeted at parents of adolescents, including guides on how to support children suffering from depression and eating disorders. http://youngwomenshealth.org/parents/ and http://youngmenshealthsite.org/parents/

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario: This website offers brochures for parents in a variety of languages on common mental health disorders affecting youth. www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/parents/signs_disorders.php

  • Headspace: This website from Australia has a wealth of resources and videos for parents and caregivers of young adults age 12-25 years who have mental health concerns. http://headspace.org.au/family/

  • HealthlyChildren.Org: Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this website provides a wide-range of resources for parents of teens and young adults. https://www.healthychildren.org

  • Jed Foundation: Promoting emotional health and prevent suicide among college students, this website provides resources, including Transition Year, that are designed to help parents recognize the signs of a mental health problems and  help their child’s transition to college. http://www.jedfoundation.org/parents

  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Center: Numerous resources for parents and caregivers can be found at this website including a resource library and family toolkit. http://keltymentalhealth.ca/family  

  • National Institute of Mental Health: Working to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses, NIMA’s website provides guides and brochures directed at parents. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

  • Teen Health: This website helps parents care for their child’s ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Also provides information on how to understand your child’s behavior, whether it’s toddler tantrums or teenage depression. http://teenshealth.org/parent/emotions/

  • Teen Mental Health: Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for parents and caregivers. http://teenmentalhealth.org/care/parents/ 

 
MENTAL HEALTH NETWORKS

  • Balanced Mind Parent Network: This network guides families raising children and teens with mood disorders to the answers, support, and stability they seek. http://www.thebalancedmind.org/

  • Children and Adults with ADHD: CHADD provides education, advocacy, and support for those affected by ADHD, including resources for parents and caregivers. http://www.chadd.org/

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: By providing resources for family members/caregivers, this website helps parents care for children with mental illness, care for themselves, prepare for a crisis, and prevent suicide. https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Family-Members-and-Caregivers

  • National Eating Disorder Association: NEDA offers resources to find help and support through their Parent, Family, and Friends Network. www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/family-and-friends

  • National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health: This organization focuses on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families. www.ffcmh.org/

  • What Works 4 U: By sharing information and learning from others on what treatments are working for them, parents are able to help improve mental health treatment for their children. http://whatworks4u.org/

 
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT GUIDES

  • Parent’s Guide to Getting Good Care: Parents are taken through the steps in finding the best professional for their child, and the most appropriate treatment. Available from Child Mind Institute at www.childmind.org/en/parents-guide-getting-good-care/

  • Parents Medication Guides for ADHD, Bipolar, and Depression: These three parent medication guides are available to help parents learn about effective treatments for children and adolescents with various mental health disorders. Available from the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at http://www.parentsmedguide.org/

 

TREATMENT SERVICES LOCATOR

MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE RESOURCES FOR YOUNG ADULTS:

  • Center for Young Women’s Health and Young Men’s Health: These websites provides a series of guides on emotional health, including on test anxiety, depression, bullying, and eating disorders. www.youngwomenshealth.org and www.youngmenshealthsite.org

  • Go Ask Alice!: Geared at young adults, this question and answer website contains a large database of questions about a variety of concerns surrounding emotional health. www.goaskalice.columbia.edu

  • Girls Health.Gov: The "Your Feelings" section of this website offers guidance to teenage girls on recognizing a mental health problem, getting help, and talking to parents. http://girlshealth.gov/feelings/index.html

  • Jed Foundation: Promoting emotional health and prevent suicide among college students, this website provides an online resource center, ULifeline, a public dialogue forum, Half of Us, and Transition Year, resources and tools to help students transition to college. http://www.jedfoundation.org/students

  • Kelty Mental Health Resource Center: Reference sheets are provided that list top websites, books, videos, toolkits and support for mental health disorders. http://keltymentalhealth.ca/youth-and-young-adults

  • Reach Out: This website provides information on specific mental health disorders, as well as resources to help teens make safe plans when feeling suicidal, and helpful tips on how to relax. http://au.reachout.com/

  • Teens Health: Providing a safe place for teens who need honest and accurate information, this website provides resources on mental health issues. http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/

  • Teen Mental Health: Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for friends. http://teenmentalhealth.org/

Mental Health Resources

SALE • SALE • SALE • SALE 

bottom of page