When thinking about staying healthy, it is important to remember that being healthy is not just physical. 

Being healthy also means that an individual is feeling strong mentally. This toolkit will help you to explore a wide range of mental health topics including what it means to be mentally healthy. You will find resources that help you gain a better understanding of mental health, how to advocate for yourself, and also where to seek help when needed.                              

What is Mental Health and Mental Illness? We often talk about mental health and mental illness. But what do we mean by mental health and emotional wellbeing and what can you do to look after your own mental health?

Mental Health Online Resources Need to know more about a mental health problem? MentalHealth.gov not only provides information on the different types of mental health problems, it also provides resources on how to seek treatment and make steps toward recovery.

TeensHealth TeensHealth is part of the KidsHealth family of websites. TeensHealth can do is help you learn ways to keep your body and mind healthy.

Making Healthy Choices: A Guide on Psychotropic Medications for Youth in Foster Care Get information on psychotropic medication - what they are, what they do, and what your options are. This guide can be used directly by youth or serve as a discussion tool for child welfare workers, health care providers, mentors, and others working with youth in foster care.

Mental Health Resources for Young Adults The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has collected a number of resources for young adults, specifically geared toward mental illness.

They provide anything from tips to going to college, how and if you should tell your boss about your mental illness, knowing your rights and responsiblities to achieving and mainting wellness, and helpful goal setting tips.

Community Mental Health Agencies The Michigan Department of Community Health has provided a map to locate the Community Mental Health Programs near you.

Need Help Fast? Crisis Lines & Hotlines Are you struggling with a particular issues that you need help with? Here you will find hotlines that are related to a variety of issues that may be of help.

A Home Within A network of mental health professionals who provide therapeutic services, free of charge, to youth who are experiencing or have experienced foster care. The network spans 22 states with 47 chapters, including Oakland County in Michigan.

Mental Health Programs and Services in Oakland County Common Ground, a mental health agency in Oakland County has a number of programs and services that they provide.

211 Michigan Regional Call Centers - Map Need assistance with paying your utilities, finding temporary housing, or cothing? 211 is a national effort to bring basic resources to those who are in need. Michigan has a number of call centers that can help you with find the resources you need. Click on the link below to view an interactive map of Michigan and to find a call center near you!

Just for Teens - Grieving a Loss Death can be a difficult thing to talk about. Learn how to cope in a healthy way. Click on the links below to find suggestions from teens, do's and do not's, Q and A, and other information about death and loss.

Campus Services 101 College Board provides this resource for youth to discover the many ways to gain support while in college. College Board recommends seeking assistance through residential services, counseling, health centers, religious centers, financial aid offices, and many other locations. 

Mind, Body, and Soul The New York State Foster Care Youth Leadership Advisory Team has created an excellent resource full of valuable information on how to create a plan to ensure that your needs physically, mentally, and emotionally are taken care of.

Therapists & Counseling Centers Having trouble finding a therapist or counselor near you Then check out this search engine provided by Psychology Today to help you locate the services you need.

Dealing With Loneliness  Feeling alone is the hardest emotion for a person to handle. Not having anyone to talk to and share your thoughts with can start to take a toll on a person. How do you deal with lonliness? This resource will give you some helpful information on this topic.

Dealing with Depression  Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. But while overcoming depression isn’t quick or easy, it’s far from impossible. You can’t beat it through sheer willpower, but you do have some contro —even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. The key is to start small and build from there. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day.