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May is Mental Health Month, a national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. “You Are Not Alone” is the 2021 theme for Mental Health Month. It is a time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay.
Mental Health Month allows us to realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle.
Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:
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Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
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Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
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Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
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Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
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Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
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Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.
The County of San Bernardino Behavioral Health Department is hosting a virtual awards ceremony honoring local students who participated in the statewide Directing Change Student Film Contest, a mental health awareness video project.
We’re excited to announce Upland High School, is a finalist for the San Bernardino County Directing Change Film Contest!
The event can be seen on Wednesday, May 19th at 6 p.m. via Facebook or YouTube. We invite you to attend the event with us to find out if they’ve won!
San Bernardino County’s 2021 supervisorial redistricting effort is underway with the launch of an interactive website and the scheduling of the County Redistricting Commission’s first meeting.
“The Board of Supervisors is looking forward to utilizing the latest technology and in-person meetings throughout the county to involve every county resident and each of our communities in the 2021 redistricting process,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.
Every 10 years, upon the release of new U.S. Census data, the county is required to redraw the boundaries of the five Board of Supervisors districts (http://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/BOSDistricts.aspx) to ensure each has very close to the same number of residents and that the new districts comply with the Voting Rights Act and meet other criteria. The process will begin in earnest when detailed U.S. Census data is released by the federal government in the fall.
On Friday, May 7, the County launched a website, https://sbcountyredistricting.com/, that contains information about the redistricting process, alerts visitors to upcoming meetings, allows them to view live and archived meetings, submit questions and other feedback, and read the latest news on redistricting.
The site also allows visitors to become familiar and experiment with a map-drawing tool that will allow anyone to create and submit their own redistricting plans incorporating the latest data on population, demographics, and city boundaries. The data on which the 2021 redistricting will be based won’t be available until the federal government releases it in the fall.
“Our goal is to make the redistricting process transparent and to provide many opportunities for public input. The new website is a great way for the public to stay up to date on the redistricting process and to have their voices heard,” said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford, who with Chairman Hagman comprises the Board of Supervisors Redistricting Subcommittee.
The redistricting website also includes information about the County’s new Advisory Redistricting Commission.
In compliance with a new County Charter approved by voters in November, the board in March created a seven-member Advisory Redistricting Commission to receive comments and suggestions from the public and recommend at least two supervisorial district boundary maps for consideration by the board.
In April, each board member appointed one commissioner and one alternate commissioner, who will join two members appointed by the presiding judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, to sit as the commission.
The public can view live and archived meetings on the County’s redistrictingwebsite, https://sbcountyredistricting.com/. The commission will conduct many of its future meetings at various locations throughout the county.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible families and households who are struggling to stay connected during #COVID19.
Eligible households can also receive a discount of up to $100 for the purchase of a laptop, desktop, computer, or tablet from participating providers.
For more info, visit the FCC website.
 Join California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Micki Nozaki, Director of California Health Advocates, Senior Medicare Patrol Project on Thursday, May 20th, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, for a virtual town hall as they give you the tools to fight back and protect yourself against fraud and scams directed towards older Californians.
Register in advance for the webinar here.
Our dedicated communications team has put together an array of resources and information online related to COVID-19. The content ranges from COVID-19 case stats to resources for community members and businesses. Please be sure to check SBCOVID19.com regularly for the latest updates.
Follow Chairman Hagman on social media to stay informed and connected. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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