York County Human Services
100 W. Market Street, York, PA 17401
717-771-9347
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.
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.
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 Gentle Mental Health Reminder Filters, and can explore resources for parents, students, and families to discuss mental health awareness, and more.
Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder.
#ShineTheLightOn
MentalHealth
Follow Us On TikTok
What if social media could be a helpful mental health tool?
We wanted to build a social media tool that could be used by parents, students and peers alike as a way to be reminded that mental health may not always be easy, but we are always in control.
We also know that talking about mental health can be hard for anyone - and sometimes, we just need a gentle prompt or conversation starter to make it easier. When we share openly, we can destigmatize the conversation around mental health and find connection with one another in the process.
Thus, the Gentle Mental Health social media filter was created! This tool will provide users with a random prompt, reminder or conversation starter about mental and emotional wellness that can be posted to Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat.
How can I use these filters?
Let other's know that you're here to support them during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond by using and sharing your own videos with these social filters to #ShineALightOnMentalHealth.
Step 1: Open the Filter
To Use on Instagram or TikTok: Scan the desired QR code with your mobile phone’s camera app - the filter will open automatically.
To Use on Snapchat: Use your Snapchat camera to scan the QR Lens Code (not your phone camera!) and the filter will open automatically.
Pro tip: Create with videos with your kids, friends, colleagues or family members and react to your reminders together!
Step 2: Post Your Video
To use the filter, simply press and hold the capture button to begin recording, and wait for the lightbulb to illuminate green with your personal reminder, prompt or conversation starter. If you’re comfortable, tell others how your personal reminder makes you feel/answer the prompt, etc. Then, post your video to your own channels to share with others.
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 Gentle Mental Health filter 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).
"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!
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
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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/
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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
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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/
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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/
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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
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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/
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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/
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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
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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
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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/
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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
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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/
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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
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American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Providing resources specifically for families, this website includes a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder. http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resources/CAP_Finder.aspx
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA provides information on mental health services and treatment centers using a service locator. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE RESOURCES FOR YOUNG ADULTS:
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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/
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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/