Community Outreach

Discover NIMH is a newsletter from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to help community advocates and health professionals raise awareness about mental disorders and the importance of mental health research. Find free education and outreach materials in this newsletter and our Get Involved web section to share with your community. We encourage you to use the hashtag #shareNIMH to connect with people and organizations with similar goals. 

NEWS AND EVENTS

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is February 20-27, 2023. Eating disorders are serious medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors. These disorders can affect a person’s physical and mental health. In some cases, they can be life-threatening. But eating disorders can be treated. 

Learn more about eating disorders: 

• Digital shareables: Eating disorders  
• Health topic: Eating disorders 
• Additional resources available en español

Let's Talk About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious medical illnesses, and how we talk about them matters. Here are some facts you can use to help shape the conversation around eating disorders. https://go.usa.gov/xdabj #shareNIMH

En español: Hablemos de los trastornos de la alimentación

Eating Disorders: About More Than Food This brochure provides information about eating disorders, including risk factors, common types, symptoms, treatment options, and resources to find help. En español: Los trastornos de la alimentación: Un problema que va más allá de la comida

Mental Health Minute: Eating Disorders Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about eating disorders. For more information on eating disorders, visit: www.nimh.nih.gov/eatingdisorders #shareNIMH

February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause, such as performance at school, traumatic events, or a life change. Everyone feels stress from time to time, but too much stress can affect your health—including your heart. 

For American Heart Month, learn more about managing stress and anxiety and get tips for Caring for Your Mental Health to help protect your overall health. 

This American #HeartMonth, it’s important to pay attention to how you deal with minor and major stressors so you know when to seek help. Learn more at: https://go.usa.gov/xvxSF. #shareNIMH

GREAT: Helpful Practices to Manage Stress and Anxiety

Be GREAT! Use these helpful practices to manage stress and anxiety. Get more tips and resources to help take care of your mental health at nimh.nih.gov/mymentalhealth.#shareNIMH

Chronic Illness and Mental Health: Recognizing and Treating Depression

Depression is common among people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease. Fortunately, depression is treatable even when you have another medical illness or condition. Learn more about chronic illness and mental health: https://go.usa.gov/xsMch #shareNIMH En español: Las enfermedades crónicas y la salud mental: Cómo reconocer y tratar la depresión

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Learn about and celebrate some outstanding women conducting NIMH-funded research that plays a role in advancing our mission of transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Dr. Arielle Sheftall focuses on parental history and early risk factors for suicide and suicidal behavior in high-risk youth.

Dr. Caroline Kuo focuses on tackling urgent health disparities globally in underserved communities of color.

Dr. Oladunni Oluwoye focuses on improving family engagement in coordinated specialty care programs for first-episode psychosis, specifically on mental health service utilization among Black families.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Tips for Talking with a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health 

Don’t wait for a health care provider to ask about your mental health. Start the conversation. Here are five tips to get the most out of talking to a health care provider about your mental health. nimh.nih.gov/talkingtips #shareNIMH   En español: Consejos sobre cómo hablar con su proveedor de atención médica sobre su salud mental

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Today: NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series: Ecological Grief and Anxiety: A Healthy Response to Climate Change
• January 25: Health Economics at NIMH and NIDA – Domestic and International
• NIMH Creates Publicly Accessible Resource With Data From Healthy Volunteers

Learn More

Pass it on!

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