Mental Health America of Greater Dallas

Join us for the launch of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas' Young Professionals group! It's the perfect excuse to ditch Dallas traffic, pregame a night out, or simply unwind with friends. Enjoy live music, delicious free food, and hilarious caricature portraits. We'll have a photographer on hand to capture the fun, and your first round of drinks is on us! Bring your crew and let's celebrate together! This is your chance to connect with like-minded professionals, make new friends, and support a great cause. Don't miss out—come celebrate with us and help shape the future of professional in our community!

There's still time to join us this morning for the October presentation at the Coalition on Mental Illness. Admission is free and the discussion is always fantastic.

Last Thursday, our Executive Director Pennie Beauchamp, and Katie Anderson, our Community Liaison, attended a Roundtable Luncheon with Senator Cornyn about cyber bullying and social media. Discussions like these around ways to prevent dangerous content and limit addictive features are so important, especially during National Bullying Prevention Month. Watch the clip and see how this Richardson school is working to protect students from harm caused by cyberbullying, which can be lifelong and can contribute to many mental illnesses: https://ow.ly/uRcw50TL2s8

Join us at the Coalition on Mental Illness this Wednesday for an important discussion of the Cass model and socio-cultural changes that have occurred since its development in 1979. Shawn O'Connor, CEO of Reflections Lifestyle Center, will present the six-stage LGBTQ+ model and share his experience as a leader in the mental health space. The COMI speaker series is free to attend and all are invited. Bring business cards and a desire to learn, share, and network with like-minded people. Hope to see you this Wednesday at 9am at 2801 Swiss Avenue!

We were honored to be included at the Davaco Employee Health Fair last week! Everyone was so welcoming, we made some great connections, and we had some great conversations about the importance of mental health in any discussion about health.

October is National Principals Month. Principals play a vital role in the school experience but they are often the least recognized people in the educational system. Our favorite principal is Anne Beckman who now coordinates our WHO program. What is WHO? The We Help Ourselves Program was developed by MHA Dallas in 1981 and is intended to help children in grades K-5 learn to advocate for themselves against bullying and violence. WHO training prepares school counselors, child advocates, nurses, teachers, case workers and volunteers to present WHO in classroom settings. If you happen to be one of these helpers, we'd love to bring this training to you. Reach out to us at https://ow.ly/iCVF50TBGJA.

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is another disorder marked by intense mood swings, emotional instability, insecurity, and a distorted view of oneself. People with BPD may have trouble managing emotions and experience impulsive behavior. Relationships are frequently a challenge for people with BPD as they often struggle with a fear of abandonment and find that their feelings towards others can change quickly. This disorder can be brought on by genetics and stressors from childhood like abuse and neglect. Talk therapy, certain medications, and hospitalization in extreme situations can help to manage symptoms. Other ways to help include: - helping them to separate emotions from facts - problem-solve together on what or who might best help them - be patient and offer support and encouragement - listen attentively and actively when they speak and avoid judgment - encourage them to seek out the appropriate treatment

Mamás y Bébés programa GRATIS de 5 semanas empieza este Octubre. Nueva sesión empieza pronto. Para mas información por favor entré a la página: https://ow.ly/mPfT50TJ6ec Espero verte allí!

Your disorders don't define you. Happy World Mental Health Day 2024. We'll be here if you need us.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings that affect energy, activity, and thought. Someone with bipolar disorder would feel extreme manic episodes where they might feel very energized, elated, or irritable, and depressive episodes where they might feel hopeless, sad, or indifferent. The onset of symptoms typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, frequently goes untreated or gets misdiagnosed, and people suffering from bipolar disorder are at an increased risk of suicide. The most effective treatment options for this disorder includes medications such as mood stabilizers and therapeutic intervention. Some other things that can help include: - establishing and maintaining a healthy routine for sleep, exercise, and balanced eating - help with routine tasks such as household chores and errands - minimizing stress - help noticing the warning signs that someone may be nearing mania or depression as they may not realize it themselves - patience and listening - encouragement to seek treatment, including therapy and consistency with medication