Mental Health Awareness & Wellness
Identifying and Responding to Youth Mental Health Needs (IRY)
Back to School;
Thinking about Mental Wellbeing
Starting School and Feeling Nervous? You’re Not Alone.
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As the school year begins, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—excitement, curiosity, and yes, even anxiety. Whether you're a student stepping into a new classroom, a parent sending your child off to school, or an educator preparing to welcome new faces, nerves are a normal part of the transition.
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You’re not alone—and there are healthy ways to cope. Simple steps like establishing routines, getting enough sleep, and talking openly about your feelings can make a big difference. For educators and caregivers, offering a calm, supportive presence can help young people feel safe and seen.
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This season, let’s be gentle with ourselves and others. New beginnings take courage—and that courage grows with connection and support.
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Insights from Emory’s State of Child Health and Well‑Being (2025):
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Around 15% of Georgia children have a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression.
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Another 17% are suspected by their parents to have undiagnosed anxiety—suggesting up to 32% of children may be affected.
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63% of diagnosed children are not receiving mental health services.
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Learn more https://sph.emory.edu/news/child-health-well-being-georgia
Mental health includes mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
According to the CDC, anxiety problems, behavior problems, ADHD and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Many family, community, and healthcare factors are related to children’s mental health. Community awareness about mental illness is important to reduce stigma.
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Our goal is to increase mental health wellness by increasing the capacity of First Aiders to identify and appropriately respond to youth (ages 12-18) who may be experiencing mental health challenges and/or emotional disturbances.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes mental health as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being that can affect how we think, feel, and act. We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health. It is essential to understand the difference between mental health and mental health conditions. Mental health conditions are illnesses or disorders that can range from mild to severe (schizophrenia, major depression, etc.). There are various factors that can contribute to mental health conditions including biology, life experiences, and family history.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 1 in 5 youth between the ages of 13-18 either currently or at some points of their life have been diagnosed with a mental illness. There is evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are related to poor mental health later in life. ACEs are traumatic events that occur in a child’s life including experiencing or witnessing violence in their home or community. They can have lasting, negative effects on childhood well-being and life opportunities. ACEs can be prevented using different strategies such as ensuring a positive support system for children, teaching coping skills, and connecting youth to caring adults and activities. Watch this video to learn more about ACEs and how you can help the youth around you.
You can bring awareness to mental health by promoting mental health education in schools and workplaces, organizing mental health awareness events and activities in the community, share personal stories about lived experiences to provide hope and reduce stigma, and encourage open communication about mental health with your friends and family. Mental Health America has created a toolkit with great resources for promoting mental health in your home and community. These include:
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Shareable social media images
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Mental health fact sheets
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Coping tools
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Outreach ideas
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Identify. Understand. Respond.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.
The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
New Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Number
Beginning 7/16, 988 will be the new three-digit dialing code connecting people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. For more information, visit https://988ga.org/ or SAMHSA.gov download quick fact sheets in English or Spanish. To help promote 988, access the partner toolkit here.
Raising Resilience Community Toolkit | Strong4Life
Use these talking points when discussing the Raising Resilience campaign with key stakeholders and members of the media. About Strong4Life. Backed by clinical, safety and behavioral health experts here at Children’s, Strong4Life is on a mission to help parents and caregivers raise healthy, safe, resilient kids.
Click on the following link
