The Week of the Young Child, a significant event sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is celebrated annually. This year, it will be observed from April 6th to 12th. The Week of the Young Child draws public attention to the needs of young children (birth through age eight) and their families, acknowledging the early childhood programs and services that cater to these needs. It serves as a platform to raise community awareness and strategize how we, as individuals and communities, can better meet the needs of all young children and their families.
Why is early childhood development important?
The early years of a child’s life are not just a phase, but a transformative period that lays the foundation for their health and future development. These early experiences are not fleeting moments, but powerful opportunities that shape the development of the brain. This understanding of the transformative power of early childhood development should inspire us all to prioritize and invest in it.
Who Plays a Role?
Children look up to a variety of role models to influence how they behave. Every individual the child interacts with can influence how they think, behave and operate. Parents, educators, coaches, peers and policymakers are just some of the individuals who play a vital role in children's development.
Parents and caregivers
For many children, the most important role models are their parents and caregivers. Children look up to a variety of role models to help shape how they behave at home, in school, in relationships and in stressful/difficult situations. Parents/caregivers are the first “teachers” for their children. From birth, children rely on their caregivers for the care and support needed to live a happy and healthy life. Early interactions have a long-lasting ripple effect on development from the early childhood stages through adulthood. Caregivers' attitudes toward parenting and the practices that follow can create a foundation for the child to live a healthy life. All individuals in a child’s life can continue to grow and further develop their knowledge regarding the factors that can lead to their children living a healthy life. Reading educational articles about childhood development and parenting practices can help establish a foundation to build upon and increase caregiver knowledge of what aspects help create a healthy childhood.
Ways caregivers can encourage the healthy development of young children include:
Follow the child’s lead and responding in a predictable way
Showing compassion and sensitivity
Have a consistent routine and rules
Support health and safety
Respond appropriately
Discuss positive role models and what they look like
Read parenting and early childhood development resources
Peers
Children's social world expands beyond their family and caregivers. As they grow, they form unique relationships with peers that significantly influence their development. During the early childhood stages, children acquire skills such as assertiveness, conflict management, social competence, respect, and play, largely through interactions with their peers. Peers can play a significant role in a child's later development, both positively and negatively.
Educators
Early educators use practices that build upon children’s established brain connections and support the further construction of knowledge. The educational experience young children receive from birth until age eight plays a crucial role in their development and influences their future. Early childhood educators help children build academic, social, motor and life skills.
Roles of an early childhood educator that promotes healthy development include:
Incorporate social connections
Create hands-on learning experiences
Inspire and motivate
Encourage creativity and self-expression
Teach self-care
Provide a positive, supportive learning environment
Policymakers
Policymakers can set the foundation for healthy development and well-being throughout life. Social determinants of health shape how one grows, lives, works and plays from the earliest stages of life. Systemic inequalities and access to basic needs affect a child's development and can have lasting consequences. Creating robust and equitable programs and support systems that account for social determinants can create a path toward healthy childhood development.
How Centennial’s Early Childhood Team Encourages Healthy Development
Centennial’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation program focuses on the target population of very young children from ages 0-5. The program promotes children’s social, emotional and behavioral aspects of their development when consulting with providers, and offers education and support that is specifically developed for caregivers of very young children. By promoting young children’s healthy development, the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation team works to enhance the quality of lives for individuals, families and communities.
More to Come
We all play an important role in the development of children. We are excited to share more information with you throughout the week to celebrate our youngest members in our communities. Keep an eye on our social media this week for links to helpful information, fun activities and more!
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which focuses on raising awareness and understanding of alcohol misuse. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious effects, including quality of life and physical and mental health.
How Alcohol Affects Mental Health
Substance use disorders can be described as harmful habits involving alcohol or other substances that lead to significant disruption in daily life, which decrease functioning and cause considerable distress. Substance use disorders affect an individual's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, appearance and well-being. Well-supported scientific evidence shows that addiction to alcohol or drugs is a chronic brain disease with a course that includes relapse and potential for recovery (Kelly, Saitz & Wakeman, 2016). The brain is still developing until age 26, and substance use can interfere with healthy brain development.
Alcohol is often used to try to decrease symptoms of depression or anxiety, but excessive drinking is likely to make those symptoms worse. People with substance use disorders are likely to have co-occurring mental health challenges. Of the 18.3% of adults ages 18+ of experience mental illness, 3.4% have both a substance use disorder and a mental illness (Hartz et al., 2014). Many people use alcohol or other drugs to “self-medicate” in hopes of reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or psychosis. Alcohol can result in intensified feelings of anxiety, depression and anger, inhibit the use of effective coping strategies, and increase the chance of a person acting on suicidal or self-injury feelings.
Seeking Treatment
Substance use disorders are treatable. With research-based treatments, individuals can stop using alcohol and resume productive lives. If alcohol has started interfering with your quality of life, it is time to seek help. Seeking treatment for Alcohol use disorder is not easy, but it is brave and necessary to live a happy, healthy life. Recovery is possible with the proper support and resources. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-622-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24-hour service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. The hotline refers individuals to local facilities, support groups and community-based organizations. Additionally, SAMSHA has an online treatment locator that can help find a treatment facility for people based on the provided zip code. Individuals can call or text 988, a national suicide and crisis lifeline, if crisis support is needed for themselves or their loved ones. No matter the location in the United States, by texting 988, individuals can be connected to a caring, trained counselor who can help.
Centennial Mental Health Center offers Substance Use Disorder treatment throughout Northeast Colorado in a variety of locations. Centennial’s specialists are dedicated to supporting individuals on their paths to addiction recovery through care plans that meet their specific needs. Additionally, Centennial’s prevention team works with schools to teach children and teenagers about the dangers of underage drinking.
Did you know that each year, one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health challenge?
Mental Health America founded Mental Health Month in 1949.[1] Every May, entities come together to promote awareness and advocate for the mental health and well-being of all individuals. This year Mental Health America’s theme for Mental Health Month is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World”, which reminds us that dealing with life’s pressures can be overwhelming and everyone deserves to feel supported to seek help when needed. While talking about mental health is becoming more common, it can be hard to know “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your mental well-being.
The stigma surrounding mental health often stems from a lack of understanding or fear, which can have a profound impact on mental health. Public stigma, self-stigma, and structural stigma can lead to detrimental effects that can cause worsening symptoms, reduce the likelihood that individuals will seek treatment and impact recovery. Raising awareness of mental health is a powerful tool for decreasing stigma. It helps normalize the conversation, educate the public, encourage empathy and understanding, promote early intervention, reduce self-stigma and foster a supportive community. During the month of May, Centennial is increasing engagement within the Center’s 10 Counties to spread awareness about mental health. Read more to see what Centennial is doing to promote Mental Health Awareness in May!
Mental Health Awareness Month Sweet Treat Therapy
What better way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month than to indulge in a sweet treat to help us serve our mission to help individuals, families and communities enhance the quality of their lives?
Centennial has partnered with incredible local bakeries, coffee shops and other sweet treat specialists to raise funds for mental health through Sweet Treat Therapy. In May, local businesses will donate 20% of their profits from a specific sweet treat to raise funds to support evidence-based community trainings throughout the Center’s ten-county catchment area.
Bun Appetit – Fort Morgan
Colorado Popcorn Company – Sterling
Cornerstone Coffee- Akron
Farmhouse Market – Yuma
Heidi’s Cakes – Holyoke
Simpkins Parlour – Sterling
Steele Terrain – Sterling
Be Seen, Wear Your Green
Centennial would like to invite you to join us in supporting the visibility of mental health by participating in various events. During the month of May, several entities join Mental Health America’s Light Up Green and Be Seen in Green campaigns to demonstrate their support for mental health. We are inviting you to join Centennial as well as, other collaborative agencies in wearing green on Wednesday’s and lighting your building green during the month of May. Green is the official color for Mental Health Awareness Month and is a powerful symbol that allows individuals to show their support for mental health and well-being in their communities. Our mission is to help individuals, families and communities enhance the quality of their lives. We envision a future where youth are resilient; families are healthy; communities are thriving; and asking for help is normalized. To learn more about Centennial’s services, visit our website or call your local Centennial office.
May is a month dedicated to both mental health awareness and maternal mental health awareness. Having a month dedicated to maternal mental health awareness provides an opportunity for individuals, communities, healthcare professionals and activists to engage in targeted conversation about the importance of maternal mental health and the urgent need to help perinatal and postpartum individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges. Maternal mortality rates are on the rise in the United States. The maternal mortality rate in the United States has increased by 12.8% from 2019 to 2021. [1] Both suicide and homicide are considered leading causes of death both during pregnancy and the postpartum period. [2]
In Colorado, the leading cause of death for maternal mortality is individuals dying by suicide and or unintentional overdose during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth.[3] Without necessary support and intervention, maternal mental health issues can lead to detrimental long-term outcomes such as impairing parent-infant bonding and limiting a child’s emotional development and ability to learn. As maternal mortality rates are rising, it is dire to address maternal mental health.
Centennial’s Maternal Mental Health Program
Centennial’s Maternal Mental Health Program was developed to address the expressed needs of our rural communities. . The program is dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of perinatal and postpartum individuals, their families and their care teams throughout Northeastern Colorado. Through a comprehensive, solution-based approach, Centennial combines medical expertise, maternal mental health consultation, therapeutic expertise, community engagements and targeted strategies to create an equitable continuum of care for those in need of maternal mental health services.
The Maternal Mental Health Program offers consultation services, which provide outreach to partner agencies and assist families experiencing perinatal and postpartum anxiety, depression and other mood disorders by connecting them to relevant resources that they need in order to feel supported and cared for. The Maternal Mental Health Consultant partners with local hospitals, OB Clinics, Baby Bear Hugs, Nurse-Family Partnership and Early Childhood Councils to provide outreach and cross-system services. The integration with existing community services allows the opportunity for perinatal individuals to receive mental health care and referrals for their specific needs. The program’s seamless referral pathway ensures that individuals receive a timely and coordinated transition from both external and internal services.
The program's clinician provides screening, individual and group therapeutic treatment services to help ensure optimal health outcomes. The screenings effectively identify mental health challenges through the use of evidence-based tools. They allow issues to be identified early and for individuals to receive the proper support, which can lead to better outcomes and improved well-being.
When an individual experiences maternal mental health challenges, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start to seek out information and support, especially with the influx of information on the internet. To ensure that individuals and families receive reliable information and resources, the team developed a mental health support bag, which is given to clients and partner agencies. The maternal mental health support bags include self-care items, baby items a “Mindful MOMents” journal and educational resources.
The “Mindful MOMents” journal was created by the program's consultant and team to help individuals in the perinatal period understand mental health symptoms and provide them with tools and resources. Journaling is known to help improve mental health and overall well-being, as well as help navigate complex feelings. The “Mindful MOMents” journal includes:
Letters to the mom and their partner
Cards that can be cut out to give to family and friends that indicate they are experiencing postpartum symptoms but are not ready to talk about it yet
A self-care plan
Journal prompts
An activities section with coloring pages, a word search, maze and calendar
Feeling faces to help track patterns of their feelings and can be taken to their physician, counselor, or psychiatrist
A contact section
A directory of resources within Centennial's 10 counties, state, national and international levels
Centennial is committed to improving and promoting the mental well-being of perinatal and postpartum individuals, infants and families by providing specialty support that is culturally and linguistically competent. To learn more about the Center’s Maternal Mental Health please call your local Centennial office.
Understanding mental health is crucial in fostering a compassionate society. It involves recognizing that mental health concerns are as real and complex as physical illnesses. Mental health challenges can affect one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviors. There are some more common mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, but there are also more severe forms, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Mental health challenges can emerge due to various factors including, but not limited to, genetics, environment and life experiences. Decreasing the stigma around mental health is critical. Through education, promoting open discussions and increasing awareness and empathy, the stigma supporting mental health can be dispelled. By decreasing stigma, we can encourage individuals to seek the help they need and support them on their journey toward mental well-being.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders
Mental health signs and symptoms are not universal, making it hard to identify. Often, individuals experience signs and symptoms common to mental health concerns. The persistence and effect on the ability to function can indicate whether a mental health disorder is present.
Feeling sad or down
Confused thinking
Reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries
Extreme high and low moods
Withdrawal from friends and social activities
Low energy or significant tiredness
Detachment from reality
Inability to cope with daily stressors
Trouble understanding or relating to people
Problems with substance use
Major change in eating habits
Sex drive changes
Excessive anger
Suicidal thinking
Ways to Support Someone Experiencing a Mental Health Challenge
SAMHSA has created a useful article that can help you support your friend or family member who is experiencing mental health challenges. Recognizing the signs of mental health challenges and connecting them to professional help is a critical step. Starting conversations and talking to your friends and family members offers the opportunity to provide information, support and guidance. By learning about mental health challenges, you can improve your recognition of early signs of mental health problems, encourage early treatment prevention and increase understanding and compassion.
If a friend or family member is showing signs of a mental health challenge, you can offer support by:
Finding out if the person is getting the care they need.
Connecting them to help
Expressing your concerns compassionately
Reminding them that mental health problems can be treated and there is help available
Asking questions, listening and being responsive when discussing mental health challenges
Offering to help out with daily tasks
Including the person in your plans and continue to invite them if they don’t attend
Educating others to decrease stigma and promote awareness about mental health
Destigmatizing and Advocacy
All individuals can play a significant role in advocating for mental health. Advocating for mental health involves raising awareness, reducing stigma and influencing policy to improve the lives of those who experience mental health conditions. Advocacy efforts, no matter how big or small, contribute toward a society supportive of mental health. Here are some ways you can advocate for mental health:
Educate yourself and others by learning about mental health and sharing your knowledge with others
Share your personal stories if you are comfortable
Support others
Volunteer with mental health organizations or programs
Participate in awareness events
Advocate for policy change by contacting your local representative
Join advocacy groups
Resources
Obtaining information and educating yourself can be very helpful when trying to support someone who is experiencing a mental health issue. Seeking help for a loved one or yourself is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know has a mental health, substance use or emotional concern, call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-TALK (8255) or text the word TALK to 38255. There are many organizations that can help support mental health.
Mental Health America offers free online screening tests for depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and bipolar disorder for a range of ages in both English and Spanish. Taking an online screening is one of the easiest ways to determine whether or not you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental Health America also has DIY Tools that can help you improve your mental health on your own, as well as resources that help you find mental health treatment and support in your local area and online.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a service named “FindTreatment.gov,” which is a confidential, anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for mental health and substance use disorders in the United States. SAMSHA’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline works to prevent suicide by providing free and confidential support for people in distress. It offers prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can call or text 988 24 hours a day for support.
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. You can call, text, or chat with a trained counselor 24/7 for support or information.
Centennial Mental Health Center provides compassionate and comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services to members of our northeastern Colorado Community. We offer client-centric care that can help individuals, families and communities enhance the quality of their lives. Call your local Centennial office, or visit our website to learn more about the help and support we can offer!
Pride Month encompasses a celebration of identity and love beyond the visible festivities and colorful rainbows. It is a month dedicated to the celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual + pride.
Pride Month began after the Stonewall Riots, a series of riots for gay liberation that took place over several days beginning on June 28, 1969.[1] The following year, the first pride marches were held in several U.S. cities. Since then, Pride has been celebrated in various ways.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. This year’s Pride theme is “Reflect. Empower. Unite,” which encourages individuals, advocates, community leaders and allies to reflect on the challenges they have overcome and empowers them to take action in shaping the collective future.
Resources for Seeking Support
Centennial Mental Health Center values diversity and individuality. Our professionals are trained to provide LGBTQ+ individuals with the necessary support to help them improve their mental well-being. Visit the Centennial website to learn more about the Center’s services.
The Trevor Project is a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization has crisis counselors available 24/7 from anywhere in the U.S. for LGBTQ+ individuals confidentially via text, chat, or phone.
OneColorado works to build a brighter future for LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families by advancing equity and freedom through state policy, advocacy, health care, and education. They offer resources that provide information about advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Gardening can have beneficial results on both physical and mental health. Spending time in nature can decrease levels of stress. Stress stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for increasing our blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar in order to react to a stimulus that is causing us stress.” [1] While stress can be helpful, high levels of stress and feeling constantly stressed can decrease emotional and mental well-being. Immersing yourself in nature, even only for five minutes, can help lower stress and regulate the nervous system. [2] The physical activity involved in the garden can also release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress levels.
Regular gardening has also been shown to enhance overall life quality, sense of community and life satisfaction. Studies also show that gardening results in various mental health outcomes, including reductions in depression and anxiety.[3]
Fort Morgan Community Garden
Adopt-A-Box
The Adopt-A-Box program encourages community organizations and entities to participate in the garden. Agencies in the community can Adopt-A-Box at Centennial’s Fort Morgan Community Garden, where they can grow nutritious food and maintain their box. Members can take the fruit and vegetables they grow home or donate them to the community. Centennial’s Garden represents collaborative partnerships and sustainability and fosters resilience. To learn more about being involved in the Adopt-A-Box initiative, call 970-867-4924.
Centennial’s Community Garden in Fort Morgan serves as a meeting space, educational environment and therapeutic haven for individuals with behavioral health needs and community members. The garden provides opportunities to learn about gardening, social engagement, physical activities and healthy habits.
The raised garden beds provide hands-on enrichment activities such as building and maintaining a garden, as well as growing and harvesting a wide variety of nutritious and culturally relevant foods. The garden also provides the opportunity to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase self-sufficiency.
The garden offers an accessible source of fresh produce for community members, as access to healthy food can be limited in the area. The garden provides opportunities for members to increase their consumption of nutritious, fresh produce. Community members can take the produce they grow or donate it to other members of the community.
Societal gender roles often dictate that men should suppress emotions to appear “strong” and “manly”. This notion of stigma prevents many men from seeking need mental health support services. 78% of all suicides are working-age men, but 2:3 of men are less likely to seek therapy compared to women.[1] Efforts are being made to make men feel empowered without the fear of stigma and judgment, acknowledging that seeking mental health support is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage and strength.
Man Therapy
Man Therapy uses a comprehensive upstream approach to men’s mental health. The goal of Man Therapy is to “bust through the stigma, increase help-seeking behavior and reduce suicide among working-age men.” [1] The campaign uses humor to meet men where they are regarding their mental well-being. Man Therapy first began as a suicide prevention campaign that has grown into a men’s mental health campaign. The initiative uses prevention tactics to support all men before they are in a stage of crisis and reminds men that “taking care of their mental health is the manliest thing a man can do.”[2]
The campaign uses a created persona named “Dr. Rich Mahogany,” who is a “man therapist.” The campaign created a free evidence-based screening tool called the “18-PT Head Inspection.” The five-minute inspection offers personal insight into depression, anger, substance abuse and anxiety, which can help men understand how their mental health status is impacting their lives.
The website offers a Provider Directory of professionals who specialize in men’s issues. The directory helps individuals find support resources based on the state in which they are seeking care, their preferred language of service, the types of visits (in-person and virtual) and their desired payment methods.
The campaign also provides Nationwide Resource Hub with offers resources and tools from organizations across the country. Not only does the campaign provide mental health resources for men, but it also offers resources for individuals who are worried about a man in their life who they believe is experiencing mental health issues and needs support.
As Dr. Mahogany said, seeking support is not unmanly but allows you to get the mental health support needed to be the best man you can be. Centennial’s behavioral health specialists are trained to support men’s mental well-being through client-centric, evidence-based approaches. Please visit the Center’s website or contact your local Centennial office to learn more about the services offered.
