Riverside County Office of Education
Home MenuTake Action for Mental Health Spirit Week
"Mental health...is not a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going." - Noam Spencer, Ph.D.
Welcome to the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE), Take Action for Mental Health Spirit Week. Take Action for Mental Health is a campaign for California’s ongoing mental health movement. RCOE is joining this movement as part of the Superintendent's Mental Health Initiative to raise awareness for mental health and has created a Take Action for Mental Health Spirit Week for students, families and educators during the week of May 2-6, 2022.
The primary goal for Take Action for Mental Health Spirit Week is to encourage and educate Riverside County adults and students in the areas of prevention and early intervention efforts that promote mental wellness and offer the tools to seek help for themselves or a loved one. For each day of RCOE’s Spirit Week, participants can explore daily themes around mental health and wellness.
In addition, RCOE along with Riverside University Health System, Behavioral and Public Health, and Directing Change Inc. have created a Take Action for Mental Health Art and Video Contest for students ages TK-25. The contest will encourage students to use various forms of art to share their thoughts and ideas about mental health and wellness. See below to learn more about the Art and Video Contest.
Take Action for Mental Health Spirit Week aims to raise awareness and provide resources to encourage mental health and well-being. Our intention is for students, families and educators to check-in, get support and take action. Thank you for participating in our event as you continue on your journey toward mental health and wellness.
Family and Adult Workshops Schedule
To help plan your Take Action for Mental Health Week activities, please refer to the Family and Adult Workshops Schedule. The schedule includes all workshops offered this week including descriptions and registration links to make it easy to book your selected activities for the week.
Take Action for Mental Health Art and Video Contest
RCOE, along with Riverside University Health System, Behavioral and Public Health and Directing Change Inc., have created a Take Action for Mental Health Art and Video Contest for students ages TK-25.
The contest will encourage students to use various forms of art to share their thoughts and ideas about mental health and wellness. Students have three themes to choose from, Dear Me (a letter to their future selves), Hope (changes they hope to see), and Justice (how young people are "more than a mental illness"). Awards will be presented by grade levels and submissions are due May 31, 2022.
Please see flyers below for details:
INLAND EMPIRE/DESERT CITIES CHAPTER
THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
HIKE FOR HOPE - MT. RUBIDOUX TRAIL
Thursday, May 5, 2022
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness and end the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide loss. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. See the AFSP website for opportunities to donate and partner with them in this work.
The participants will meet at the beginning of the Mt. Rubidoux Trail next to the Information Table beginning at 4:00 p.m. Participants will sign in and maps will be available. Water bottles will be provided to participants at the completion of their hike.
Bring a friend and lend your support for Suicide Awareness and Prevention!
Share #TakeAction4MH on Social Media
Remember to share your daily focus, challenges, workshop participation, wellness tips, and more during the week with a Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook post using #TakeAction4MH.
Or send your picture(s) + brief description to socialmedia@rcoe.us
Check out the social media image and message for each day to help inspire your social media posts.
Resources and Support
For more information about resources available in Riverside County to support your mental health and well being, see below:
Why is taking action for mental health important?
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
Over 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.
50% of all lifetime illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.