Mental Health Resources from our Conversations with Integral Care and YWCA Greater Austin
Earlier this week we gathered for an important event focused on supporting Mental Health needs within our nonprofit sector. As we all know, the multiple crises over the past year have had a compounding effect on our communities, organizations, and on each of us as nonprofit staff, our families, and friends. We came together to support one another in these tough times.
When we think about this year, it began with the storming of the US Capitol in January, was followed by the devastating winter storms in February, and then the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in the spring and summer. We have seen significant shifts across the workforce as well, as many of us are leaning into our roles, taking on new roles, and stretching to fill resource gaps. This fall we all navigated the impacts of the Great Resignation, as labor market forces and inflation trends continue to impact our work in this pandemic that continues to exacerbate inequities. This is why we gathered together, to support one another as we strive to take care of ourselves so that we can care for communities.
Over the last year, we’ve been collaborating with many community partners to find resources for our sector on numerous needs one, in particular, being mental health. A number of local direct service providers and intermediaries have been meeting to brainstorm ways to support the sector around mental health. In May, the collaborative hosted a virtual, public gathering to connect on the topic of stress management, led by NAMI Central Texas. At the event, we asked attendees what their needs were. Attendees voiced the desire for additional educational programming, as well as supports for personal wellness.
This week, we co-hosted another virtual event on mental health in the nonprofit sector, where we gathered to learn and practice new skills together. We engaged in a deep conversation about signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use and how to care for yourself or a loved one who may be struggling, in a discussion led by Ellen Richards and Wendy Amozurrutia-Salazar from Integral Care. We then learned new self-care and personal wellness activities and practiced together, led by Bri Hamlyn and Robin Johnson of YWCA Greater Austin. You can access the video of the first session, here.
Thank you to all of you who participated in this important time together. You are stepping up and supporting our communities. This is challenging work in challenging times. Thank you for all that you do.
We also want to thank all the organizations who have had staff or volunteers attend the brainstorming sessions and contributed ideas to support our sector on mental health: OneVoice, Seedling Mentors, Community Advancement Network, Contigo Wellness, YWCA Austin, Integral Care, NAMI Central Texas, Hogg Foundation, St. Davids Foundation, Settlement Home, Spirit Reins, Little Herds, Mission Capital, Austin Latinx Chicanx Behavioral Health Network, and The Institute of Chicana/o/x Psychology.
If you would like to learn more about this collaboration or are interested in participating, please reach out to insights@missioncapital.org.
RESOURCES
The following resources were shared by participants and presenters during the event".
Integral Care Mental Health First Aid https://integralcare.org/en/mhfa/
Communities for Recovery, CommunitiesForRecovery.org, 512-758-7686
Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, HarmReductionTX.org, 512-580-0580
Integral Care, IntegralCare.org, 512-472-HELP (4357)
NAMI Central Texas, NAMICentralTX.org, 512-420-9810
SAMHSA National Helpline, 800-662-HELP (4357)
MoreNARCANplease, moreNARCANplease.com
Al-Anon, Al-Anon.org
Any Baby Can – No Estás Solo
Institute of Chicana/o Psychology, www.razapsychology.org, www.facebook.com/ChicanoPsychology
Aiki Healing aikihealing.com
Clover Educational Group https://clovered.org/
Mental Health Tips and Resources
Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Free emotional support and mental health resources are available across our community, state, and country.
10 Ways to Become More Grateful and Tips for Keeping a Gratitude Journal
Building a daily practice of gratitude has the power to change your brain chemistry. It can reduce stress, increase optimism, and lead to both better mental and physical health.
In "The Happiness Lab" podcast, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will forever alter the way you think about happiness. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Managing your emotions, especially in times of stress and anxiety, isn’t easy. Our brain’s limbic system handles both our emotional and physical responses to emotion. And when that system is over-activated, it can be hard to come down. Luckily, there are simple tools to help calm you down and feel more grounded.
Physical Tips
Yoga for: stress / depression / change and drain / Loneliness / yoga
Breathing Techniques can reduce the fight or flight response, reduce stress and increase relaxation response.
Nadi Shodhana, or “alternate nostril breathing,” is a simple yet powerful technique that settles the mind, body, and emotions.
Get Moving and Feel Better
Hiking: Austin and Central Texas
Social Interaction Guidelines
Telling a loved one that you’re worried about their mental health may seem like a tricky conversation. But it’s very important and can be as easy as checking in with that person to let them know you care about them and that they are not alone. That conversation could even save someone’s life.
Interview with Integral Care Staff on how to have a conversation with someone you’re worried about
Compassion Fatigue Resource https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/PEP20-01-01-016_508.pdf
List of mental health resources gathered through collaboration
Andra Day - Rise Up [Official Music Video] [Inspiration Version]