Last Updated: May 16, 2023
In support of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Team AgLearn is providing resources and information to encourage engagement with this important annual awareness campaign.
The information below is a portion of content quoted from President Biden's Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2023 External Link.
"During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor the absolute courage of the tens of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions, and we celebrate the loved ones and mental health professionals who are there for them every day. Treatment works, and there is no shame in seeking it. Together, we will keep fighting to get everyone access to the care they need to live full and happy lives."
Background
National Mental Health Month raises awareness of stress, burnout, and trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.
Events
Farm Stress and Suicide: Faith, Place, and Community Health
Date: May 30 (2:00-3:30pm ET)
For: All USDA Employees
Description: Farm Stress and Suicide: Faith, Place, and Community Health - This session provides an overview of the USDA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and highlights the challenges faced by many Americans during Mental Health Awareness Month. A training on farm stress and health and wellbeing will be provided by The Well Church Initiative of Texas A&M Extension, to provide tools and resources to faith and community-based organizations as they support their congregants and communities.
Register: Farm Stress and Suicide: Faith, Place, and Community Health External Link
Yoga and Mediation to Harmonize and Strengthen the Body, Mind, and Energy
Date: May 24 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: All APHIS Employees
Description: This yoga practice will boost the body’s metabolism to restore and enhance the healthy flow of energy throughout the body and mind. The intention will be to nurture the physical, mental, and emotional self through gentle yoga shapes and breathing techniques. All levels are welcome.
Register: Yoga and Mediation to Harmonize and Strengthen the Body, Mind, and Energy External Link
The Digital Age: Understanding the Use of Technology in Mental Health Treatment
Date: May 24 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: FPAC Employees
Description: This course offers an understanding of the use of technology in mental health, the options that are available to you, and the pros and cons of using digital advancements.
Register: The Digital Age: Understanding the Use of Technology in Mental Health Treatment
Rural Mental Health Matters: Challenges, Opportunities & Resources for Communities
Date: May 23 (2:00-3:30pm ET)
For: All USDA Employees
Description: Rural Mental Health Resources for Communities - Cohosted by: Behavior Health and Development Disability Directors of America This session will focus on resources and tools available to people in rural areas regarding mental health and community wellbeing. A Q/A – conversation will be hosted about its relevance with particular attention focused on the challenges of accessing help in rural areas, and why improved services, and investments in a robust workforce and infrastructure are needed to ensure the wellbeing and economic prosperity of rural communities.
Register: Rural Mental Health Matters: Challenges, Opportunities & Resources for Communities External Link
Mindful Fed
Date: Every Wednesday (1:30-2:30pm ET)
For: All Federal Employees
Description: A new interagency community of practice offering a mindful space, guided meditations, and more to help us all cultivate wellbeing and resilience in the Federal workplace. For now we offer low pressure mindful virtual gatherings every Wednesday at 1:30pm ET.
Join: Mindful Fed website External Link
Walking Campaign
Date: May - June
For: FNCS Employees
Description: As part of EHW and PSRW—hosting a walking campaign to enhance physical and mental health awareness.
Request Information: Walking Campaign - email Erin Swanson-Hall
Civility in the Workplace
Date: May 18 (2:00-3:00pm ET)
For: AMS Employees
Description: Presentation highlights the ways each of us can contribute to building and maintaining workplace civility.
Request Information: Civility in the Workplace - email Deborah Newman
Your Emotional Relationship with Food and Mental Health
Date: May 17 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: FPAC Employees
Description: This course helps you examine your relationship with food, explore your emotional connection with food, helps you understand the types of foods that are bad for your health, and offers tips on how to overcome your unhealthy relationship with food and improve your overall health and well-being.
Register: Your Emotional Relationship with Food and Mental Health
Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being with Amy Hertog
Date: May 17 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: All APHIS Employees
Description: During this presentation participants will learn about healthier choices that may help to improve their mental health and emotional well-being. Specifically, this presentation will cover mental health facts and definitions, common myths associated with mental health, signs of mental health changes, reasons to seek help and ways to support mental well-being.
Register: Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being External Link
National Guided Breaks
Dates: May 11, 16, 25
For: All USDA Employees
Description: Describes a type of meditation led by a teacher, in person or via audio or video. In a guided meditation, a narrator or teacher explains the dynamics of the mind and how it's likely to behave during meditation. The teacher may also explain meditation techniques.
Call-in Number: 1-888-844-9904
Passcode: 5637452#
Times:
7:00 a.m. - 7:15 a.m. (AKDT)
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. (PDT)
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. (MDT)
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. (CDT)
11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. (EDT/AST)
USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series: Breaking the Stigma
Date: May 16 (2:00-3:30pm ET)
For: All USDA Employees
Description: Veteran’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention - Rural Veterans experience significantly increased risk of suicide. In this workshop, you will learn how to act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran who is in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Register: Veteran’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Workshop External Link
Tune into Mindfulness
Date: May 16 (2:00-3:30pm ET)
For: FNCS Employees
Description: It’s sometimes difficult to scan through the negativity we encounter each day and tune in to something more positive. Fortunately, with a bit of intentional awareness, we can learn to seek out the good. This presentation explores frequencies of mindfulness and shows participants how to dial up more positivity.
Request Registration Information: Tune into Mindfulness - email Otisha Chaplin
Let’s Celebrate Mental Health Week!
Date: May 11 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: REE Employees
Description: REE will host a webinar on The Path to Positive Thinking.
Register: Let’s Celebrate Mental Health Week! External Link
Grief and Loss: The Journey of Healing Your Heart
Date: May 10 (1:00-2:00pm ET)
For: All APHIS Employees
Description: Loss can hit hard and in ways we don’t always expect. You may recall someone who went through a similar situation whose reaction was entirely different than your own. This may make you question whether your grief process is warranted or normal. Grief and loss are experienced individually; the way you navigate your journey in these sensitive, contemplative, and sometimes confusing moments is uniquely yours and is neither right nor wrong. This webinar offers guidance on working through what or whom you’ve lost so you can begin to heal your heart at your own rhythm.
Register: Grief and Loss: The Journey of Healing Your Heart
Anxiety: Beyond Worry
Date: May 10 (1:00-2:00pm ET)
For: FAS Employees
Description: The terms worry and anxiety are often used interchangeably. This presentation focuses on the differences between the two and highlights ways to decrease anxiety levels. The presentation will be given by Dr. Diana Vartan, from the Federal Occupation Health (FOH).
Request Registration Information: Anxiety: Beyond Worry - email Kimberley Stevenson
Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace
Date: May 10 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: All APHIS Employees
Description: Investing in fostering a mentally healthy work culture helps decrease absenteeism, reduce healthcare costs, and improve employee morale and productivity. And with statistics revealing that one in four adults has a diagnosable mental health disorder, now is the time to proactively support a health environment. This presentation offers insight on addressing mental health in the workplace and provides guidance for managing the culture to improve the quality of your employees’ lives at work.
Register: Fostering a Mentally Healthy Workplace External Link
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): How to Cope and Thrive
Date: May 10 (12:00-1:00pm ET)
For: FPAC Employees
Description: This course offers information about adult ADD, how to recognize the signs, possible treatments, and how to cope and thrive, even with the disorder.
Register: Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): How to Cope and Thrive
Let’s Celebrate Mental Health Week!
REE will host several Health and Wellness Presentations. Employees will get an opportunity to learn some coping skills and strategies to manage their mental health.
For: REE Employees
Burnout and Stress Management (May 9, 12:00-1:00pm ET)
Join: Burnout and Stress Management External Link
Establishing Equilibrium: Bridging the Work/Life Gap (May 10, 12:00-1:00pm ET)
Join: Establishing Equilibrium: Bridging the Work/Life Gap External Link
USDA Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series: Breaking the Stigma
Date: May 9 (2:00-3:30pm ET)
For: All USDA Employees
Description: Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities - This session will focus on emergent data, challenges, and opportunities for farm stress researchers, practitioners, and service providers. Panelists (all tentative) include the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Farmaid, Agristress, and others to discuss the state of the field and offer insights into their respective partner programs, resources, and emergent needs and challenges.
Register: Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention: Data, Challenges, and Opportunities External Link
Mental Health Awareness Month
Date: May 9 (12:00-1:00pm)
For: All FSIS employees
Description: Provide a presentation titled: “The Path to Positive Thinking” - Positive thinking can contribute to overall well-being. This presentation reviews the evidence for pursuing an optimistic mindset and offers tips on how to incorporate more positivity into daily life. Handouts on an Activity, Book Recommendations, Online Resources, and Apps will be placed in the chat.
Join Microsoft Teams Meeting: Mental Health Awareness Month External Link
Additional Resources
- Mental Health and Well-being Fact Sheet External Link
Information about mental health and well-being from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture - Mental Health Awareness Month Information and Resources External Link
Resources about Mental Health Awareness Month from the National Alliance on Mental Illness - National Mental Health Awareness Month Information and Resources External Link
Federal resources and information from youth.gov about Mental Health Awareness Month - The U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-being External Link
Workplace mental health and well-being is a critical priority for public health. It has numerous and cascading impacts for the health of individual workers and their families, organizational productivity, the bottom-line for businesses, and the U.S. economy. - Calm with Dr. Vivek Murthy External Link
Access mindfulness tools with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Also, research and discover various meditations and options available on the calm site. - Workplace Well-being Resources External Link
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Surgeon General website providing resources for Workplace Wellbeing. Explore the available resources for Mental Health and Well-being in the workplace. - Suicide Prevention Awareness and Lifeline External Link
As a reminder, if you or anyone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is always available. No one is alone. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available for 24/7 crisis care. - The Power and Potential of Kindness External Link
We believe prioritizing kindness at work leads to happier, healthier working environments and thriving employees. Reach out to us for resources and tools to bring kindness to the forefront of employee interaction.
AgLearn Resources
LinkedIn Learning
- Realistic Strategies to Talk about Mental Health at Work External Link
- Supporting Your Mental Health While Working from Home External Link
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety by Managing Your Nervous System External Link
- Well-Being in the Workplace External Link
- How to Beat Burnout, Exhaustion, and Stress External Link
- Reduce Tension with Breathwork External Link
- How to Beat Workplace Loneliness External Link
- Managing Stress for Positive Change
- How to Slash Anxiety and Keep Positivity Flowing External Link
- How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed External Link
- Managing Anxiety in the Workplace External Link
- Mindful Stress Management External Link
- Dealing with Grief, Loss, and Change as an Employee External Link
- Subtle Shifts in Thinking for Tremendous Resilience External Link
- Managing Depression in the Workplace External Link
- Staying Positive in the Face of Negativity External Link
- Sales Well-Being: Managing Anxiety, Burnout, and Rejection External Link