Mental Health
Mental Health is your Feelings, Thoughts and Actions!
How do you know when your mental health needs attention? You may see changes in how you usually FEEL,THINK, AND ACT:
- Eat less or more
- Hard to get to sleep or stay asleep
- Argue more
- Cry easily
- Feel bored with things you like
- Want to be alone a lot
- Act before thinking
- Have less energy
- Feel very nervous/stressed
There are things we can do when we feel sad, mad, or worried like drawing, breathing slowly, taking a walk, or playing.
Asking For Help!
If doing things on your own when you feel sad, mad or worried doesn’t help, it’s time to talk to a Trusted Adult about your mental health.
A Trusted Adult is someone who
- Helps YOU
- Makes YOU feel safe
- Is patient with YOU
- Listens to YOU
- Cares about YOU
- Spends time with YOU
You may know a Trusted Adult in your life like a parent, teacher, or doctor. But, if you don’t know a Trusted Adult or can’t talk to a Trusted Adult when you want to, you can call or text 988 to talk to a 988 Trusted Adult!
What is 988?
988 is a safe place to….
- Connect to a Trusted Adult
- Talk about your feelings, thoughts, and actions
- Ask for help when you are feeling sad, mad, or worried
Why ask for help from 988 Trusted Adults?
- If your Trusted Adult is not available
- If you don’t know a Trusted Adult
- If you want to talk about your feelings or someone else’s feelings
- If you have a problem and you don’t know what to do next
Should you call 911 instead?
If you or someone else is having an emergency or needs HELP NOW CALL OR TEXT 911 for
- POLICE
- AMBULANCE
- HOSPITAL
- FIRE DEPARTMENT
Talk to a Trusted Adult
What do I say when I call 988?
- Be patient, it may take time for a 988 Trusted Adult to answer.
- Stay calm and speak clearly.
- Tell them why you are calling.
- Listen carefully to the 988 Trusted Adults questions and follow their instructions.
- If you can, talk to a Trusted Adult near you after the call.
- Just like 911, 988 is serious and should never be used as a joke!
- Learn more about 988 at www.988lifeline.org
Order Gizmo 988 Materials
Gizmo 988 brochure and sticker can be ordered below. To request a professional print PDF file for the brochure or sticker, please select this option on the order form using button below.
Social Media Elements
Hi, I’m Gizmo! I’m a therapy dog here to tell you that 988 is a phone line you can call or text to talk about your feelings, thoughts, and actions with a Trusted Adult. Learn more from Gizmo and about 988 on www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/gizmo988.
When you feel sad, mad, or worried you should talk to a Trusted Adult… someone who makes you feel safe, listens, and helps you. You can talk to your Trusted Adults or contact 988 to talk about your feelings, thoughts, and actions anytime day or night. Learn more from Gizmo and about 988 on www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/gizmo988
Check out Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to 988, a new video designed to teach youth about 988. This video can be used by educators, parents, caretakers, youth serving organizations and more! Visit the Gizmo website to access more Gizmo materials https://www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/gizmo988/ #Gizmo4MentalHealth #Gizmo988
Other suggested messages
Check out Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to 988 materials that take a friendly approach to teach children about reaching a Trusted Adult through 988; including an animated video, social media posts and an orderable brochure and sticker. https://www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/gizmo988/ #Gizmo4MentalHealth #Gizmo988
Check out Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to 988, a new 988 brochure that takes a friendly approach to teaching children about mental health, trusted adults and 988. Download the PDF or order a physical copy and check out Gizmos new 988 page: https://www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/gizmo988/ #Gizmo4MentalHealth #Gizmo988
Gizmo 988 materials were developed with support from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Connecticut Partnerships for Hope and Healing Initiative, a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Grant (H79SM086113).