BALDWIN PARK – A sea of lime green ribbons – the color associated with mental health awareness – filled campuses across Baldwin Park Unified, including the District office, as the BPUSD community recognized May as Mental Health Awareness month.
Baldwin Park Unified’s Board of Education adopted resolution 39, designating the month of May as National Mental Health Awareness month by the American Psychological Association. The Board also designated May 9 as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day to increase the discussion and understanding surrounding children with mental health concerns.
Throughout the month of May, schools hosted activities and connected students with recourses to increase awareness and erase stigmas about mental health. Sierra Vista’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club provided all students with bookmarks that list five free mobile apps that help with health and wellness.
Dr. Susan Coats, District school psychologist on special assignment, was a guest speaker for the Department of Mental Health’s presentations with District NAMI students. Coats shared BPUSD’s prevention and intervention activities, such as NAMI Clubs and the CoVitality Survey, a social and emotional health model.
The CoVitality Survey is used to screen students to identify high-risk individuals and provide targeted support by linking students with the appropriate services and referrals.
Since 1949, the United States has observed May as Mental Health Awareness month, reaching millions of people through local events and media.
NAMI_MENTAL_HEALTH: Sierra Vista High School’s NAMI Club host activities that focus on stress-relief and promote mental health awareness.