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Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Oct. 30–Nov. 4, 2023


Let’s end the stigma. Let’s talk about mental health.

Inviting all community members to join us virtually

MCPS and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association (MCSPA) will host a free virtual and in-person event October 30– November 4, 2023 to give youth and families the opportunity to hear from mental health experts on issues that are important to them. The weeklong expo will feature school-based activities, dynamic speakers and informational videos, as well as two live events: a Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health on Wed., Nov. 1, 2023 and a Resource Fair and Q&A session on Sat., Nov. 4, 2023. Sessions will be available in multiple languages.

TOPICS

  • Physical Health
  • Coping with Stress
  • Neurodiversity
  • and more…

Live: Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health

Wed., Nov. 1, from 6 - 8 pm
at Richard Montgomery High School

Let's end the stigma
Let's talk about mental health

With Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Jay Barnett
Former NFL Player Turned Mental Health Expert and Advocate

RSVP to Attend In Person

Will also be live-streamed on MCPSTV
Interpreters Provided

event

Live: Virtual Resource Fair and Q&A Session

Sat., Nov. 4, 2023

Link to Watch Coming Soon

Earn Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours

students

Students may earn up to 9.5 SSL hours for viewing videos, attending virtual workshops, and participating in follow-up advocacy action during the 2023 MCPS Mental Health Awareness Week (October 31-November 4, 2023):

Asynchronously, students may earn up to 5 SSL hours for viewing videos tagged as SSL and participating in advocacy action throughout the week. More

  • AFTER viewing up to five (5) sessions throughout the week, students will need to complete the SSL reflection form available at https://bit.ly/MHAW2023SSL.
  • This SSL reflection form will open on Monday, October 30, 2023, and must be fully completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, in order to be eligible for SSL hours.
  • Students will earn 1 SSL hour for each session viewed (maximum of 5 SSL hours) and completion of this advocacy exercise.
  • Students, please complete the SSL reflection form AFTER you have viewed all sessions you are interested in (maximum of 5 sessions), and please make sure your responses reflect thoughtful insight into the material presented and accurate and thorough coverage of the content.

Students may also earn additional SSL hours for attending each of the following live events and participating in advocacy action (up to 4.5 hours total for both events -- information regarding the SSL reflection form for each of these events will be provided at the conclusion of each event):

  • LIVE: Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health - Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. This event can be attended in person at Richard Montgomery High School or virtually on YouTube. Please RSVP here if you would like to attend in person.
  • LIVE: Mental Health Resource Fair - Saturday, November 4, 2023, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. This event will be livestreamed on YouTube.

How to Join

  1. 1
    Plan in Advance

    A schedule of video titles will be posted here soon.

  2. 2
    Watch the Videos

    Come back to this web page during mental health week. Once a video is posted, it will remain on the site.

  3. 3
    Join Live Events

    Wed., Nov. 1 - Waymaking Special on Student Mental Health at Richard Montgomery High School
    Sat., Nov. 4 - Mental Health Resource Fair and Q&A Session

Watch Videos

Please Note: Videos eligible for SSL hours are noted on the 'For Students - Earn SSL' tab below.

Theme:

What's New

Asking for Help: When, Why, Who, and Where NEW SSL
So you want to be a School Psychologist? Who are the MCPS School Psychologists? What do they do? How do you get into the field? NEW SSL
Bridge to Wellness - School Year 2023-2024 NEW SSL
Creating a Sense of Belonging for Newcomers through Building Well-Being Connections: EML Therapeutic Counselors & the International Admissions & Enrollment office NEW

Theme:

For Students - Earn SSL

Youth Ambassadors Program (YAP) (5 min) SSL NEW
Restorative Justice SSL
Well-Being Social Workers (6 min) SSL
The Role of School Psychologists SSL
The Role of School Counselors SSL
The Role of Pupil Personnel Workers SSL
The Role of Parent Community Coordinators SSL
The Role of ESOL Transition Counselors SSL
LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health SSL
Asian American Identity & Mental Health SSL
Grief and Loss SSL
Depression SSL
Mental Health in Kids Series (Rachel and Mikihlynne) SSL
Mental Health in Kids Series (Maddox and Mila) SSL
Mental Health in Kids Series (Spencer and Byron) SSL
Mental Health in Communities of Faith SSL
Anxiety SSL
Eating Disorders SSL
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Friendships SSL
School Climate and Me: Identifying Social and Emotional Supports as a Black Youth for Thriving in a Positive and Equitable School Climate SSL
Neurodiversity & Social Justice SSL
The Mental Health and Substance Use Connection (13 min) SSL
Social Media Safety SSL
Dating Violence SSL
Anti-Vaping Symposium SSL
Healthy Habits SSL
How Physical Education Supports and Improves Mental Health and Teaches Coping Strategies SSL
Mindful Eating SSL
Positive Self Talk SSL
Graduation Motivation (17min) SSL
Delayed Gratification (9 min) SSL
Thinking about our Thoughts: Vocabulary for Students Pursuing ALO and Their Caregivers Stress Management SSL
Stress Management SSL
Mindfulness Self-Care Toolbox SSL
The Four Supports Everyone Needs SSL
How to Have a Respectful Disagreement on Any Topic SSL
How to Talk to Parents about Tough Topics SSL

Theme:

For Parents, Guardians, and Other Adults

Well-Being Social Workers (6 min)
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (6 min)
Meet the new MCPS School System Medical Officer (SSMO), Dr. Patricia Kapunan
Restorative Justice
El Papel del Coordinador de Asuntos Estudiantiles español
El Papel del Psicologo Escolar español
El Papel del Coordinador de Servicios Comunitarios para Padres español
El Papel del Consejero para Estudiantes de Ingles como Segundo Idioma español
El Papel del Consejero Escolar español
LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health
Grief and Loss
Depression
Mental Health in Communities of Faith
Eating Disorders
Anxiety
ADHD
Autism
El Impacto Del Racismo en la Salud Mental español
Supporting Nonbinary & Transgender Students at Home & School
Discrimination in the Asian Community
Discrimination in the Black and Brown Community
Student Concerns in the LGBTQ+ Community
Neurodiversity & Social Justice
The Mental Health and Substance Use Connection (13 min) SSL
Social Media Safety SSL
Anti-Vaping Symposium SSL
Simposio contra el Vapeo español
Signs of Suicide
Minimizing Meltdowns
Domestic Violence
Coping and Living with Substance Use Disorder (English)
Coping and Living with Substance Use Disorder (Spanish) español
Mindful Eating
Positive Self Talk
Thinking about our Thoughts: Vocabulary for Students Pursuing ALO and Their Caregivers SSL
Developing Routines, Strategies, and Activites to Improve Learning (Spanish) español
Social Skills for Younger Children
How to Talk so Your Teens Will Listen (English)
How to Talk so Your Teens Will Listen (Chinese) 中文
Communication in Relationships

Help is Available

If you are in need of mental health assistance:

Montgomery County Hotline:

988 (talk, chat, or text 24/7)

Maryland SafeSchools Tipline:

833-632-7233 (24/7)

Watch videos from previous year's virtual Mental Health Awareness Week events.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020