Your Mental Health is an incredibly important component of your overall health. 1 in 5 adults in America will experience a mental illness. Half of all such start by age 14 years but most are undetected and untreated. Children and adults with Spina Bifida are at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Together we can end the stigma. If you’re struggling with mental health issues, it’s important that you speak with a healthcare professional.
Check out our mental health resources:
- – SB-YOU: A Conversation about Suicide Prevention – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that limited data are available on suicide among people with disabilities. In fact, in a recent survey, adults with disabilities were three times more likely to report suicidal ideation in the past month compared to persons without disabilities. In this SB-YOU session, a panel of AAC members share warning signs, resources, safety tips, and experiences. View the SB-YOU here >>
- – SB-YOU: Take Care of Your Mental Health – Taking care of your mental health is important. In this SB-YOU speakers discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health as an adult with Spina Bifida. View the SB-YOU here >>
- – Charla y Cafecito: Esta presentación trata acerca de cómo la salud mental cómo la salud mental y el comportamiento influyen en el bienestar y la independencia – Ver la grabación de video >>
– Mental Health Guideline – View the full guideline >>
– Extracurricular Activities and Hobbies: The Positive Effect They Have for Individuals with Disabilities – this blog is explores how extracurricular activities or hobbies are positive and productive ways to project and manage the various emotions we experience living with spina bifida. Read the blog >>
– Las actividades extraescolares y aficiones: Su efecto positivo en las personas con espina bífida – Este blog trata acerca de cómo las actividades extraescolares o las aficiones (hobbies) son maneras positivas y productivas para proyectar y manejar las diversas emociones que tenemos al vivir con espina bífida. – leer el blog >>
– 2022 Education Day for Adults with Spina Bifida | Stay Active and Take Care of Yourself – At the 2022 Education Day for Adults, Shameka Andrews, Disability Advocate and Consultant, discusses her self-care toolkit. Joe Slaninka, member of SBA’s Adult Advisory Council and volunteer with SBA of New York State, shares how he strives to stay active. View the recording >>
Upcoming event:
SB-YOU: A Discussion about Grieving through the Lens of Spina Bifida | May 31, 2023 7pm ET – Grief is usually associated with the complex emotions and thoughts that fill us when we lose a loved one in death. For many adults with SB, however, grief is the result of the frequent feelings of sadness caused by personal and community-wide losses related to living with Spina Bifida. Join us May 31, at 7pm ET for a panel discussion on grief in the context of living with Spina Bifida. The panelists will explore the many facets and causes of grief, including the influence of one’s race and cultural background, and share how they cope with them. Recording to be made available soon.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, trained crisis counselors are available 24/7—whether they are considering suicide or not. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.