May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Join WCPSS as we bring awareness to mental health, encourage self-care, and connect with resources. Here are some things we will be focusing on during the week of May 13-17: 

Monday, May 13: Wear Green 

Make it a Mental Health Monday. As the official color for mental health awareness, green represents renewal, hope, and vitality. 

Tuesday, May 14: List 5 Things You Are Grateful For

Practicing gratitude can help shape your mindset to one that is more optimistic and positive. It also can improve your relationships with others. Today, we encourage staff and students to practice gratitude by listing five things they are grateful for. 

Wednesday, May 15: What is Mental Health? 

Mental health is how we think, feel, and behave. We can take care of our mental health by taking care of our bodies, spending time with friends, doing things we enjoy, and thinking positively. We also can practice calming strategies to help control how we respond to big feelings. 

Thursday, May 16: Self-Care

Self-care is taking action to protect your physical and mental health and increase your overall happiness and well-being. It is important to do something every day to practice self-care. Some examples of self-care activities include:

• Exercising

• Spending time outdoors

• Meditating

• Journaling

• Doing an activity you enjoy (e.g., listen to music, watch a movie, read a book)

• Spending time with people you enjoy

• Practicing gratitude

• Practicing mindfulness

• Taking a break from screens/technology

Friday, May 17: Pay It Forward

What is one thing you will do to continue improving your mental health? Some examples include:

• Take time to take care of yourself

• Set boundaries

• Eat healthier snacks/meals

• Spend more time outdoors 

• Help someone else

• Learn a new hobby