As summer comes to an end, this means children of all ages will be going back to school. Given the rise in acts of mass violence across the country, in addition to the typical concerns about germs and settling into routines, this can be a stressful time not only for students but for their parents and teachers, as well. Now, more than ever, is when it’s okay to lean on your support system – whether it be friends, family or colleagues. Your peers are in the best position to empathize, offer advice or steer you in the direction of resources that may be helpful. As you settle into a “back to school” rhythm, take time to revisit the Healthy Habits of Emotional Wellbeing. Print them out, hang them on your bulletin board and talk about them with your support network. It’s always better to have them and not need them than the other way around!
PROGRAM UPDATES
Improve Your Daily Life with a MindShift
Stephanie Szostak, ambassador, and Give an Hour are partnering to develop MindShift (formerly known as the 180 Playbook) into a workbook and app. To help us further this work, we would appreciate your feedback on how you gather and organize important insight and guidance.
“Stephanie has been using MindShift for years to help recall and incorporate wisdom and guidance that inspires her into her daily life,” said Nickie Silverstein, program manager for ambassadors and events at Give an Hour. “Give an Hour is excited to help Stephanie bring this idea to fruition in the form of an app that will make MindShift accessible to everyone.”
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and if you’d like to be more involved, please make sure to indicate your interest in our pilot program at the bottom of the survey.
IN THE NEWS
- Messenger Post Media: They lost loved ones to tragedy. Here’s what they have to say to Buffalo, Uvalde
- NewsHubGlobal: 988 Is New Mental-Health Crisis Hotline. Here’s What to Know
- Loudwire: Talinda Bennington Reflects on 5-Year Anniversary of Chester Bennington’s Death
- Longmont Leader: Increased connections are important for Colorado Seniors
BLOGS
- Newest Ambassador Wears Multiple Hats, Influences Many
Dr. Celestine LaVan Shares Her Story - Peer Support Offers Perspective Like No Other
Learn How the Route 91 Heals Program Incorporates Peer Support Into Healing
IN OTHER NEWS …
Give an Hour’s own Brittany Chatman, program manager, recently accepted
an appointment as secretary with the Humana Military, Military Health Advisory Board. The purpose of MHAB is to “contribute to improving the health outcomes of military families through collective impact.”
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with corporate partners whose goals align with those of Give an Hour,” said Brittany. “This will only help us widen our impact on those we serve.”
Drum roll, please …
Last month, we alluded to a three-year strategic plan and it’s time for us to unveil the highlights!
At Give an Hour, we have a proud legacy of providing mental health and wellness services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families and it’s time to build upon that foundation. The strategic plan allows us to better identify additional groups we can serve that include those impacted by:
- Military service
- Mass violence
- The opioid crisis
- Interpersonal violence
We will continue to assist designated clients with one-on-one counseling and will expand our training and workshop offerings. Additional resources including topical webinars, blogs and educational tools are available.
Because Give an Hour values the commitment of the licensed mental health professionals who make up our provider network, we are renewing our commitment to them by increasing the support we offer, including:
- Focused training
- Free continuing education credits
- Peer support
Perhaps the most ambitious of all is Give an Hour’s goal to grow its provider network to 50,000 strong and assist 8 million people in the groups mentioned above. This is an effort to meet the growing need of individuals seeking mental health services in the U.S.
“We know that the number of available providers can’t keep pace with the mental health crisis gripping the U.S. today,” said Erin McNair, director of program development for Give an Hour. “That’s why we are working alongside mental health professionals to change the face of mental health by developing approaches to wellness that complement individual counseling.”
Stay tuned as we continue to roll out plans for the coming years and provide opportunities for you to help.
