May 2023 Newsletter

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Mental Health America organization started this month of awareness in 1949. This year MHA is challenging us to examine our world and how it can affect our overall health. Look around, look within - from your neighborhoods to genetics, many factors come into play when it comes to your mental health. For more information and resources, visit https://mhanational.org/

Drug-free Summer Kick Off

Fremont 5 CTC wants to help our youth start off the summer in a safe and healthy way. We are sponsoring a free event full of games, food trucks, music, and fun! It will be on Saturday, June 3 from 5:30-8:00 pm at West Haven's Sports Park.

There are things that help our youth be healthy and stay drug-free this summer:

1. Stay Busy - set goals, learn to do something new, provide service, get a job, host a board game tournament.

2. Sweat It Out - aim for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is shown to reduce stress, help with depression and anxiety, improves sleep, and boosts your mood.

3. Choose Friends Wisely - find friends who will encourage you and build you up. If you have friends who not good examples or have different values, it is okay to put some distance between you and them. They are not bad people, but they might not be GOOD for you.

4. Positive Self Talk - celebrate your personal victories. Make a list of all the things you like about yourself or that others have complimented you on. Surround yourself with positive statements.

5. Invest in Others - adopt a pet (or care really well for one you already have), volunteer in the community or for a neighbor, join or start a book club, start a bike riding group, invite someone over for a treat.

Summer Camps

We are excited to offer 2 summer camps this year - one for youth ages 13-18 and one for adults. Our camps will focus on mindfulness and teach skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve overall wellbeing. Register for our camps at Fremont5CTC.org.