May! Mental Health Awareness Month!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! One in five kids suffers from a mental health issue. Let's stop the stigma and start talking! Below are five ways you can support Mental Health Awareness Month!

1. Know how to help someone in a crisis : About 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. These are our friends, family members, and loved ones who may be experiencing symptoms of mental health issues that aren’t obvious or visible. Keep resources on hand, learn how to recognize the signs, and know where you would go for help if someone you care about were to experience a crisis. 

2. Share your experiences : Whether it’s a story about treatment or how your life is impacted by a mental health issue, sharing your experiences can be powerful for you and others. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage readers to consider sharing their stories with us, sharing with someone they trust, or sharing with a licensed therapist if their experiences are causing distress.

3. Understand the power of language and how it can contribute to stigma : Stigma toward mental health issues and treatment often stems from the way we come to understand concepts through pop culture and influential others. Many commonly used phrases and idioms can contribute to misunderstanding and a reluctance to seek treatment for fear of being perceived as “weak” or “crazy.” Help challenge the stigma in your corner of the world by spending some time thinking and reading about how words and experiences may feel from a different perspective.

4. Take care of yourself : One of the best ways we can contribute to improved mental health, better relationships, and healthier communities is to make sure we are managing ourselves and meeting our own needs. For people who tend to help others first, this can be feel selfish and difficult. However, it may be helpful to apply the same concept in which airline crews tell you to don your own oxygen mask before assisting others. Contact a mental health professional or treatment center if you need help with this. 

5. Join the conversation : 

Throughout the month, you’ll likely see some hashtags related to Mental Health Awareness Month on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms. It’s common for some mental health organizations to organize conversations around specific hashtags, but there are also some general ones people can use to be part of the conversation. Some we’ll be using include:

  • #MHM2017
  • #mentalhealth
  • #MentalHealthAwareness
  • #MentalHealthMatters
  • #endthestigma

Find us at the U of O Job Fair!

We will be attending the University of Oregon Job Fair this spring! Be sure to stop by our booth for more information about us and how you can be more involved in our amazing community! 

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Spring Career Fair 2017

 Wednesday, May 3 at 12:00pm to 4:00pm

 Erb Memorial Union (EMU), Ballroom 
1395 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403

This is the last chance of the year to connect with over 100 companies and organizations here in search of talented job candidates. Their next hire could be you! Polish your resume and join us in the EMU Ballroom between 12:00pm and 4:00pm!

#endhumantrafficking

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It's National Human Trafficking Awareness Day!! 

Today in the United States, it is estimated that 100,000 children annually are being lured into the commercial sex industry and sold for profit. While service providers often have the best access to the most at-risk and victimized youth in our communities, a lack of understanding of this issue coupled with inadequate training impedes the identification of exploited children. Visit the COA website at http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/364877/1182b59550/ARCHIVE for some awesome resources to learn, share and take action!

Looking Glass Community Services just added a Sex Trafficking Prevention Specialist position to our Runaway and Homeless Youth Services in order to help spread awareness and understanding within our community, as well as assist at-risk youth in combating this issue.