MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

There are nationwide and local hotlines, support groups and other resources available to help people, even if they do not have mental health coverage with insurance. Here is a list of phone numbers, programs and groups available for the Central Florida area.

According to a poll of parents by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 44% reported concerns about their children’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only 16% looked for help for their kids.

The number of first responders committing suicide continues to rise, according to leaders of the first comprehensive statewide task force representing firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, corrections, training and behavioral health services across Florida.

The smile on full display from Simone Biles said it all: The U.S. superstar stuck the landing on her balance beam routine, her face lit up, and all at once, she embodied pure joy, a seventh Olympic medal, and likely some relief, having the weight of the world off her back, at least for a few minutes.

Therapy gave Danielle Gomez the tools she needed to navigate a particularly hard chapter in her life, after both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer within six months of one another; she suffered a miscarriage; and then got pregnant again.

For Mental Health Awareness month, which kicks off Saturday, we've rounded up some ways you can put the focus back on you with some self-care.

It’s OK to be sad. Everyone feels "off" sometimes, whether that means, sad, angry or frustrated. Those are normal human emotions. But what about if you feel more than sad? Have you considered seeing a therapist?