Communities need connection and tools to kindly, safely, and knowledgeably support their own and loved ones’ mental health.
This idea encourages you to gather as a local community, and upskill through two key tools:
- Learn how to ‘A.S.K.'
- The Be There Certificate
What is 'A.S.K.'?
MTV teamed up with Active Minds to develop this memorable acronym and interactive video tool that provides three essential actions for how to support friends and loved ones.
In this choose-your-own-adventure experience, put yourself in the shoes of Charlie who just ran into Luna at a coffee shop. Help Charlie decide what to say while practicing A.S.K. an acronym that provides three essential actions for how to support friends and loved ones. A.S.K. stands for Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch.
Through the adventure, you'll learn:
- How to recognize signs of struggle
- What to say to start the conversation
- How to build trust and offer practical support
- Tips to become a better listener
- The importance of setting healthy boundaries
- How to help someone access professional and community resources
- How to maintain your own mental health
To view the A.S.K. Digital Tool, visit: https://www.asktohelp.com
For more information about A.S.K. visit: https://ask.activeminds.org/
What is the Be There Certificate?
The Be There Certificate, created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, is a free, self-paced online learning experience designed to increase mental health literacy and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. It provides a deep understanding of Be There’s 5 Golden Rules — a simple but actionable framework on how to recognize when someone might be struggling with their mental health, your role in supporting that person, and how to connect them to the help they deserve. A few quick facts:
- 6 interactive lessons
- Less than 2 hours
- Free of charge
- Available in French, English and Spanish
- Videos and real life scenarios
Read more here: https://certificate.bethere.org/ChangeX
Remember - community and peer support can have a huge positive effect supporting someone struggling with their mental health, but it’s in no way a replacement for medical or professional mental health services. To find professional and vetted professionals where you are, head to www.mentalhealthishealth.tv
Bala hanyane...