It's #MindfulMarch

     What does #MindfulMarch mean? It's a social marketing hashtag that promotes being 'mindful' of something this month... we choose that it refers to mental health! And that's what our Friend of MHINDS meetings are about this month -- #CMSHS is definitely with us!

      Being 'mental health mindful' can mean several things in itself also. We wanted to use our meeting today to encourage students to be mindful of depression and suicide prevention. Not only did we share some excellent online references, but we also engaged everyone in a discussion of using the term "ouch" when you know something is being said that is stigmatizing, discriminating, or just plain hurtful. Our FoM team member, April Scales, has used the "ouch" concept in many of her activities as the Project Connect Cultural Competence Coordinator, and we think it is a message worth sharing everywhere.

     March brings into focus the coming National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day planning. The day of celebration is not until May 8th, but if we don't start planning now, we'll be behind! The students suggested all kinds of great ideas about how they wanted to get their community on board with children's mental health awareness. Over the coming weeks, we'll be assisting them in making sure their ideas become realities! (See more photos below)

     We are also starting a new contest this month to see who can get the most social media shares from an original created post. We discussed with students some ideas, and then they were busy creating their message. We can't wait to see how these messages make their way across the web!
And finally, today's congrats at #CMSHS belong to Audra Betz! She's our newest FoM SM STAR. Check out a key 'tweet' of hers below. We love it Audra!

@FriendofMHINDS I'm going to be the next star. 🌟⭐🌟 #cmhs
— Audd. ♥ (@AudraBetz) February 18, 2014

Kristin Melton, FoM Team

Project Connect Social Marketing Coordinator