May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As we reflect on the past year, and how much our PWCS community has overcome, it's important to pause, and take time to reflect on how resilient we are. Our mental health is and incredibly important part of our overall health, and critical in our ability to support our families, work effectively, participate in school, and contribute to society in meaningful ways.
In partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), PWCS recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This year's message is "Together for Mental Health," and our focus is to bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care.
Hylton High School Participates in Between the Bells
Mental health awareness is critical in supporting our students, families, staff, and communities. It takes a community to come together in meaningful ways to spotlight this awareness and general mental health wellness. Over the past month, PWCS highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month through a community expo, school-sponsored awareness walks, and fairs.
As this year's Mental Health Awareness Month comes to end, PWCS is sharing an event Hylton High School organized in early May called Between the Bells, an interactive program designed by To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA), for high school students to spark authentic conversations about mental health and to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone. Through an anonymous survey, students revealed that anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts were the most common mental health concerns they are struggling with and counselors were present during lunch shifts throughout the week to provide students with valuable resources available to them in the area and nationwide.
The most impactful activity was the Response Wall. Students used sticky notes to share their feelings by writing what they wanted to say and hear. The wall grew over four days as students, faculty, and staff shared what they wished to say and/or hear. The notes were filled with emotion and brought many to tears. Coles District School board member, Lisa Zargarpur, visited and was available during lunches to listen to students. The program was eye-opening for the school community and Hylton plans to use the data to collect further develop targeted counseling programming for students next year.
Fast Facts

- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, and less than half of them receive treatment.
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience a serious mental illness each year, and less than two-thirds of them receive treatment.
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, and only half of them receive treatment.
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
- The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.
- 55% of U.S. counties do not have a single practicing psychiatrist.
- 1 in 5 young people report that the pandemic had a significant negative impact on their mental health.
- 1 in 10 young people under age 18 experience a mental health condition following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
- In 2020, there was a 31% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits among U.S. adolescents.
- Three quarters of Americans (75%) say they are not content with the state of mental health treatment in this country. That is particularly true if they are diagnosed with a mental health condition (84%).
- 60% of Americans are concerned about the stigma around mental illness.
- Less than half (49%) of Americans consider themselves familiar with the U.S. mental health care system.
Source: Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources.
Find citations at nami.org/mhstats
Parent Resources
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week Activities for Children, Youth and Families-National Federation of Families
A variety of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week activities, worksheets and videos for children and youth.
- National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week Activity Workbook: Just for Kids (PDF)
- Children's Mental Health ACCEPTANCE Week 2022 Calendar (PDF)
FACT SHEET - Know the Signs: Recognizing Mental Health Concerns In Kids and Teens (PDF)
Outdoor Light Linked with Teens' Sleep and Mental Health. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Owning Your Feelings & Moving Through Emotional Discomfort-Mental Health America
Supporting Children's Mental Health: Tips for Parents and Educators. -National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Things You Can Do to Improve Your Child's Mental Health-Verywell Family.
What Every Child Needs for Good Mental Health-Mental Health America (MHA).
What Is Children's Mental Health?-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What I Learned About My Child After A Year Of Working From Home During Virtual Learning-Mental Health America
What to Do if You're Concerned About Your Teen's Mental Health. (PDF)-The JED Foundation.
Youth Connectedness Is an Important Protective Factor for Health and Well-being.-CDC
A
Mother's
Vow
of
Mental
Health
Advocacy
for
Her
Daughter
NAMI
(YouTube
Video)
Toolkits for Schools
2022 Mental Health Awareness Month Partner Guide-National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Follow These Steps to Ease Student Anxiety in Your Classroom-Hey Teach!
May is Mental Health Month Outreach Toolkit (PDF)-Mental Health America
Resolution
RESOLUTION
MENTAL
HEALTH
AWARENESS
MONTH
MAY
2022
WHEREAS, mental health is part of overall health; and
WHEREAS,
mental
health
sustains
individual's
thought
processes,
relationships,
productivity,
and
ability
to
adapt
to
change;
and
WHEREAS,
1
in
5
U.S.
adults,
and
1
in
6
U.S.
youth,
experience
mental
illness
each
year,
and
less
than
half
of
them
receive
treatment;
and
WHEREAS,
50%
of
all
lifetime
mental
illness
begins
by
age
14,
and
75%
by
age
24;
and
WHEREAS,
the
average
delay
between
onset
of
mental
illness
symptoms
and
treatment
is
11
years;
and
WHEREAS,
1
in
5
young
people
report
that
the
pandemic
had
a
significant
negative
impact
on
their
mental
health;
and
WHEREAS,
in
2020,
there
was
a
31%
increase
in
mental
health-related
emergency
department
visits
among
U.S.
adolescents;
and
WHEREAS,
early
identification
and
treatment
can
make
a
difference
in
successful
management
of
mental
illness
and
recovery;
and
WHEREAS,
it
is
important
to
maintain
mental
health
and
to
recognize
the
symptoms
of
mental
illness
and
seek
help
when
it
is
needed;
and
WHEREAS,
every
citizen
and
community
can
help
end
the
silence
and
stigma
surrounding
mental
illness;
and
WHEREAS,
through
public
education
and
civic
activities,
Virginia
remains
engaged
in
the
promise
to
address
the
challenges
facing
people
with
mental
illness;
and
WHEREAS,
Mental
Health
Awareness
Month
is
an
opportunity
to
work
to
increase
public
understanding
of
the
importance
of
mental
health
and
to
promote
the
identification
and
treatment
of
mental
illness;
and
WHEREAS,
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
wishes
to
enhance
public
awareness
of
mental
health
for
our
youth
and
adults;
NOW,
THEREFORE
BE
IT
RESOLVED
that
the
Prince
William
County
School
Board
and
the
Superintendent
of
Schools
recognize
May
2022
as
"Mental
Health
Awareness
Month"
embracing
the
theme
of
"Together
for
Mental
Health,"
to
enhance
public
awareness
of
mental
health
to
help
end
the
stigma.
Approved by unanimous consent by the Prince William County School Board on May 4, 2022
Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers Podcast- Weekly podcasts providing encouragement and inspiration for teachers. Ranks in the top three K-12 podcasts in the world.-The Cornerstone for Teachers.
Care for the Caregiver: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams-National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
Employee Benefits-PWCS, in coordination with our Employee Assistance Program ComPsych Guidance Resources, offers workshops and toolkits for enhanced wellbeing. May's offerings are mental health-based and June's are focused on summer fun. For links and webinar registration, visit the Employee Benefits page.
Teacher Mental Health Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore-Teach Starter
The Educator's Room Presents: The Teacher Self-Care Podcast-Anchor by Spotify.
Why Teacher Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care in Your School-Waterford.org.
Webinars
HUD/SAMHSA: National Mental Health Awareness Month Webinar Series
May 4, 11, 18 & 25
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) will present a series of free webinars this May to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month. Webinars will take place each Wednesday and will feature leading mental health professionals from SAMHSA and HUD, as well as practitioners from their respective communities. Events include:
Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 1 p.m.
Mental Health 10: Overview of Mental Health Issues in the Modern World
Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at 1 p.m.
988 is Not a Joke: National Suicide Prevention Hotline Launch to 988-What's on the Horizon
Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 2 p.m.
Get Help-Reducing Stigma Associated with Mental Health
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 2 p.m.
Now What - Mental Health Issues in Post COVID America
Increasing Mental Health Awareness Through Community Outreach-Mental Health America (YouTube video)
Owning Your Feelings & Moving Through Emotional Discomfort-Mental Health America (YouTube video)