Mental Health Toolkit

The way we talk about mental illness and the things we express publicly through media, social media, in our homes and in our workplaces can make a difference. Includes a summary of preferred language to use when communicating about mental illness and substance use.

“Make It OK” is a campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illnesses. It is sponsored by a collaborative effort in Minnesota.

A short article describing the problem and concrete ways to counter stigma.

Information and articles related to stigma are available on the NAMI website.

Person-first language is a way to emphasize the person and view the disorder, disease, condition, or disability as only one part of the whole person. Describe what the person “has” rather than what the person “is.”

ADAA focuses on improving quality of life for those with these disorders. ADAA provides education about the disorders and helps people find treatment, resources, and support. ADAA strives to improve patient care by promoting implementation of evidence-based treatments and best practices across disciplines through continuing education and trainings and accelerating dissemination of research into practice.

Five national and international organizations representing a full spectrum of healthcare make up the PTSD Alliance. These organizations are here to serve individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. (Links to all organizations under “Partners”, including American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Anxiety Disorders Association of America, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Sidrin Institute, and Beachway Therapy Center)

Their vision is to see schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders universally recognized and treated as neurobiological brain illnesses. Their mission is to create a movement for systemic change to improve care, support, and equity for the millions of people living with schizophrenia and psychosis spectrum disorders.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness on America's communities.

Learn about U.S. guidelines for drinking and tools for change.

This page has excellent clinician support – training for clinicians, readily accessible assessment tools and patient education resources related to alcohol and drugs.

The mission of the AAS is to promote the understanding and prevention of suicide and support those who have been affected by it.

ASIST is a 2-day training program that teaches participants how to assist those at risk for suicide. Although many healthcare professionals use ASIST, anyone 16 years or older can use the approach, regardless of professional background. ASIST workshops cost money to attend, with cost varying by training site.

Community Health Centers promote a fully resourced system that delivers efficient, effective, and accountable behavioral healthcare accessible to all Kansans through locally governed Community Mental Health Centers, subsidiaries and strategic partners.

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. They move beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard they have strengths to rely on.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline -1 800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 or this website.
Crisis Text line – 741741 – and text “home” or “help” to start texting with a volunteer during crisis.

This toolkit contains the information and tools needed to implement state-of-the-art suicide prevention practices in primary care settings. It includes sections on educating clinicians and office staff and developing mental health partnerships, as well as patient management tools and patient education tools.