NORTHBOROUGH – Mental Health America is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month this May.
“This year’s theme — More Good Days, Together — encourages us all to reflect on what a ‘good’ day looks like, both for ourselves, and for our communities. Together, we can use that insight to connect people to the right support at the right time, and shape advocacy, education, and community engagement to make more good days possible for all,” the organization’s website reads.
Northborough has an array of resources and activities to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Registration, when required, is available on Northborough’s website.
Expressive Art Therapy
Join Health and Human Services Social Worker Caitlin Mitchell at the Northborough Free Library’s Teen & Adult Program Room on May 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn about what expressive art therapy is, who it helps, its therapeutic benefits, and resources to explore further.
Prior to coming to Northborough, Mitchell majored in expressive art therapy at Lesley University. She still carries the training with her, and she likes to “incorporate [it] in a lot of the work that [she does],” she said in a recent interview.
Running on Empty
Feeling burnt out? Join Mitchell for this online “Lunch & Learn” session entitled “Running on Empty: A Discussion on Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout.” The event will run on May 5 from 12 to 12:30 p.m., and will be recorded for those who can’t make it live.
“I think we all experience stress and anxiety, especially with so much change in the world right now, and then we forget about burnout, until we’re burnt out. We’re realizing we need to figure out how to help ourselves. I always like to include all our resources,” said Mitchell.
Social Host Awareness
On May 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., join Det. Stephen Sullivan and attorney Richard Rafferty at Algonquin Regional High School’s library for a seminar about how to safely host social gatherings. Learn what can happen as a result of underage drinking, and how to celebrate prom, graduation, and spring events safely.
Mindful Monday
A 30-minute meditation with Erica at the Northborough Free Library will take place on May 11 at 12 p.m. The meditation will include a mindful walk around the library grounds – and offer a chance for people to disconnect from their busy lives.
Youth Volunteer Fair
Algonquin Regional High School will transform into a Youth Volunteer Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 12. It will be geared towards sixth- through twelfth-grade students. Over 20 vendors offering a variety of opportunities – seasonal, weekly, etc. – will be ready to present.
“Volunteering, especially for kids, is a huge thing to connect with your community. It gives self-esteem. It’s not all about putting it on your resume, but it’s about finding a sense of purpose as well,” said Community Outreach Coordinator Liz Nolan. “Volunteering just brings a lot to you.”
QPR Training
You’ve heard of CPR – how about QPR? On May 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., get free QPR Suicide Prevention training at the Northborough Free Library. QPR – often called the CPR of mental health – helps people recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis. For those curious, QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer.
“This is not a clinical training – nobody is going to be a clinician coming out of it, nor should they feel like it – but it’s empowering people to realize that talking about suicide is stigmatized, and people really need someone to know that they’re there,” said Mitchell.
She added: “Suicide is people trying to problem-solve a problem, but if you don’t give them other options and try to give them hope, they feel hopeless. This training is about giving a sense of hope to those people so they know there are more solutions to their problems.”
Mammography Van
From 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., the Dana-Farber Mammography Van will be dropping by the Northborough Free Library. It’s a convenient way to get peace of mind about your physical health, which ultimately helps your mental health.
Walk With Moms
From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., join the Moms Walk & Talk around Ellsworth-McAfee Park. The walk, which starts at the snack shack, is an opportunity for moms to get outside, move their body, and connect with other moms in a judgment-free space. Weather permitting, of course!
“Parenting is hard, and there’s a lot of focus on middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, but what about the moms of younger kids? It’s an opportunity for moms to get outside for a health walk. It’s an open forum, and just us being another resource,” said Nolan.