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A new school year is upon us, accompanied by all the excitement and stress inherent in transitions. Understanding and maintaining mental health is a life-long process, but at MAMH we believe it is never too early to start learning. We've long advocated for mental health education to be a core feature of K-12 health education curricula. Learn more here. |
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Join Us! Monday, September 19, 2022 from 6-9 p.m. Join us, in person or virtually, for our Annual Friend & Leader Award Dinner, saluting individuals whose work supports mental health and wellness for children, adolescents, and young adults across the Commonwealth. Register Today! |
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As a new school year fast approaches, it's the perfect time for students and families to explore ways to support and promote their mental health and wellness. New mental health education pages on the MAMH website provide resources for students, caregivers, and others looking to learn more about K-12 mental health and common mental health experiences. On the hub, you'll find resources including books and articles, activities you can do at home or in the classroom, videos, podcasts, apps, and more on a variety of topics and strategies to help maintain positive mental health - and to learn when and how to ask for help. Find resources to help maintain and support your mental health here! |
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Building and strengthening resilience is possible when students have information and resources to cope and thrive, even in the face of adversity. It's important to find strategies in our everyday lives to support, maintain, and improve our mental health. Mateo McDermott, Newburyport resident and rising senior at Virginia Tech, began playing the piano during the pandemic as a way to support his mental health. He introduced the Play the Moment Public Piano to help others explore the connection between music and mental wellness. Learn more about Play the Moment here! |
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Behavioral Health Success at the State House |
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FY23 State Budget Responds to Real Needs of Students and Families The FY23 state budget approved last summer includes strong behavioral health care provisions, particularly for youth, including: - $20 million for a behavioral health trust fund to support school tele-behavioral health, workforce diversity, initiatives to address the ED boarding crisis, and mental health support for K-12 and college students.
- $600,000 for the Safe and Supportive Schools program.
- $150,000 for a School Mental Health Technical Assistance Center to aid school administrators, teachers and staff.
To learn more about what was included in the final FY23 budget, please see our FY23 Massachusetts State Budget Brief. |
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Adopted Legislation Promotes Positive Mental Health A Mental Health Omnibus Bill signed into law in August includes many MAMH priorities and other mental health provisions to support people with mental health conditions and promote mental health and wellness for individuals of all ages. Key elements related to children and adolescents include: - Creating a youth emergency department (ED) data portal and requiring the presence of mental health professionals in EDs to address the longstanding problem of youth boarding in EDs, resulting in delayed and inconsistent treatment.
- Insurance coverage for annual mental health wellness exams.
- Promotion of school-based behavioral health services through the creation of a statewide program to implement behavioral health services and supports in school districts and by limiting the potential for preschool suspension and expulsion.
To learn more about this new law, please see our recent blog post. |
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MAMH President and CEO Danna Mauch speaks at the ceremonial signing of the Mental Health Omnibus Bill! |
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Research and News of Note As part of the national strategy to tackle the current mental health crisis in the United States, the federal government announced two new actions to strengthen school-based mental health services and address the youth mental health crisis. Read the White House Fact Sheet here. In a recent Facebook Live event, the NIMH Deputy Director led a discussion on the youth mental health crisis, including youth suicide, the effects of technology and the pandemic on the developing brain, and supporting the mental health of current and future generations. Watch the recording here. In a first-of-its-kind report, The Trevor Project examines the mental health and well-being of multiracial LGBTQ youth. Learn about the Trevor Project's findings here. |
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Events Take advantage of the many opportunities for in-person and online training across the Commonwealth! Check out our Events page to see what's happening in the behavioral health community this month! Interested in trainings for supporting older adults with behavioral health needs in the community? Check out our Older Adult Behavioral Health Training Calendar! |
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Massachusetts Association for Mental Health
50 Federal Street 6th Floor | Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 742-7452 | kathyfranklin@mamh.org |
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