This month, local residents of all ages and backgrounds came together in the name of mental health.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been in place since 1949, and is an opportunity for local organizations and stakeholders to raise awareness about the causes of mental instability and steps to improve health. . Schools across the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) are not taking this month for granted and delivered a strong message about the need to build a united community at the May 2 SMMUSD Board of Education meeting. .
At the meeting, McKinley Elementary School Principal Daniela Weiner spoke about the school’s commitment to fostering “all aspects” of children, including their intellectual, social, emotional, physical, creative and cultural needs. A variety of enrichment activities were introduced. Wiener said building strong bonds between students, staff and parents is “built into the ethos” of McKinley College, she said.
“Belonging is critical to our well-being and impacts our physical, emotional and mental health,” Wiener said. “A strong sense of belonging can lead to an improved sense of well-being, but a lack of that sense of belonging can lead to depression and anxiety. Therefore, fostering a sense of belonging can support students (mentally essential for health.”
McKinley’s enrichment activities capitalize on students’ talents and interests, from theater and visual arts to physical education and student clubs. The clubs, especially her 4th grade and her 5th grade clubs, are run by staff volunteers who host tailored meetings to support “times of self-discovery.”
Clubs at McKinley include the student council, the Green Team, where students initiate eco-friendly projects such as waste separation and composting during lunch breaks, the dance team, the McKinley Times newspaper, the inclusive space Rainbow Club, and the Dungeons. & Dragons Club, and Mindfulness Club. Mindfulness meetings began at McKinley this year, with recess meetings consisting of learning self-regulation strategies to support improved self-esteem and stress management.
“These clubs are just one part of the tremendous work that McKinley staff, parents, and students do to provide a sense of belonging to our community,” Wiener added. “They also contribute to the sense of curiosity and empowerment that we want our students to feel.”
According to Linda Gingras, director of mental health services at Jewish Family Services LA (JFSLA), fostering connection is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health. JFSLA is one of the region’s most prominent organizations providing life improvement services in the fight against mental health, special needs life skills, and food insecurity.
“The first piece is knowing or building a sense that you are worthy of connection and that it is okay to reach out and give yourself permission to connect with what is meaningful to you.” Gingras said. “Some people connect through volunteering with an organization, membership in a club, or other civic activities. For people who are seriously dealing with depression and are already suppressed by their feelings, it can be a really big step. not.”
JFSLA’s core tenants focus on wellness topics such as crisis management skills, building community connections, and highlighting ideas of fun and play in an often neglected adult world. It’s about building an emotional wellness toolbox. JFSLA client Darcie Meehan, who herself works in the mental health field, needed to expand her toolbox after the sudden death of her parent and learned how to “grieve consciously.” Participated in an organization’s therapy program.
Meehan added that talking to a qualified therapist improved her health and that JFSLA made her feel like she was “really present” and not “just a number.”
“Talk about what’s important to us, talk about core values, and allow people to really clarify what their core values are is a really strong foundation for mental health. The clearer you are about what is important to you, or the more you think about the kind of life you want to live, the more meaningful your life becomes, or the more control you have. It gives you a sense of what’s going on,” Meehan said.
To learn more about JFSLA’s services and mental health awareness, visit jfsla.org.
thomas@smdp.com
