May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and HHSC is providing a variety of opportunities and resources to raise awareness about mental health issues.

To kick off the monthlong celebration, HHSC will host the 2022 Mental Health Awareness Webinar Series each Friday in May.

To register for the webinars, click on the links below:

• May 20, 3-4 p.m.: Suicide Prevention 101
  • This webinar will discuss warning signs of suicide and share important information on how to help someone who may have suicidal thoughts and feelings.
• May 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Self-Care 101
  • The past few years have presented unique challenges for everyone. This webinar will discuss the stress cycle, building resiliency through self-care and applicable self-care tools you can use today.

The 2022 Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest Virtual Reception will be held on May 18 from 4-5:30 p.m.

The reception will feature:

• Remarks from HHSC leadership.
• A digital slideshow of the winning artwork.
• A panel of artists discussing their artwork and the inspiration behind their submissions.
• An announcement of the People's Choice Award winner.
• A question-and-answer session.

To register for the reception, visit the GoToWebinar webpage.

Get Social: Throughout May, HHS will post behavioral health messages on our social media pages to promote self-care, share behavioral health data and provide education on behavioral health challenges.

Sign Up for Training: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use concerns, builds understanding of their impact and gives an overview of common treatments.

Both adult and youth versions of the course are intended for participants ages 18 and older. If you are a state employee who would like to take a MHFA course, email Mental Health First Aid to be added to the interest list, and MHFA team members will reach out as classes become available.

The HHSC Suicide Prevention Team offers several trainings aimed at introducing participants to suicide risk and how to help people experiencing a suicide crisis. To receive trainings for yourself or for your department, email the Suicide Prevention Team.

Access Online Learning: The Mental Health Wellness for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (MHW-IDD) online training modules are available to a variety of people, including health care professionals, support providers and caregivers who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. To register for the trainings, visit the MHW-IDD website.

For more information on mental health awareness, visit the Mental Health Texas website.

For questions, email Mental Health First Aid.

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