Mental Health America (first known as the National Association for Mental Health) established Mental Health Month was started in 1949. It is observed each May to raise awareness and educate the public about mental health conditions, the realities of living with these conditions, and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness.
The stigma around mental illness, talking about it and getting support for mental health can be a true barrier for many people. By learning more, and removing this obstacle to access, we can help ourselves and others find the resources needed in a judgment-free atmosphere.
Join the fight for Mental Health – Take the StigmaFree pledge from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to show your support! Visit the NAMI Website to take the pledge, to learn about mental health services and to access information about resources on how you can help.
UAMS Resources
UAMS Mindfulness Program – Starting at noon each day, Monday through Friday, the program hosts an online mindfulness session for employees and students. Want to get the sessions link? Email: UAMSMindfulnessProgram@uams.edu
Supportive Conversations – UAMS has developed a service called Supportive Conversations. Through this service, employees and students at UAMS can speak by phone with someone who is trained to listen and talk you through your reason for the call. If you just feel the need to talk, our Supportive Conversation specialists are here and ready to listen. Call 501-686-6890 to speak with a someone 24/7.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – The university’s EAP offers its services to help employees alleviate life’s stressors.
The Employee Assistance Program office is located in Suite 601 in the Freeway Medical Tower, 5800 West 10th Street, in Little Rock. It is open for in-person therapy sessions and provides tele-video sessions to employees via a secure and private link. Employees can use the EAP’s online platform to schedule video, telephone or in-person sessions. It includes a feature to remind employees of appointments by text or e-mail. Employees who have UMR insurance will be able to get up to ten visits per year. For more information or to schedule, visit: eap.uams.edu
AR-ConnectNow – This service is FREE to all Arkansans.
UAMS Health AR ConnectNow is a comprehensive behavioral health treatment program created to provide care to all Arkansans dealing with a variety of mental-health issues, from substance abuse disorders to mental illnesses ranging from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Arkansans struggling with mental illness, but unable to find a suitable provider and resources in their community, no longer have to lack professional care. AR-Connect can assist via telephone and tele-video virtual visits, which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No referral is necessary; anyone needing help will find it only a phone call away.
If you are struggling with mental health issues like depression, anxiety and/or stress, call us at 501-526-3563 or 800-482-9921. Visit the website for more information: AR ConnectNow
Other Resources
Mental Health America’s “Back to Basics 2022 Toolkit” – For more tools and resources for Mental Health Awareness month, visit the website and download (English or Spanish versions available: Back to Basics 2022
Combat Stress Presentation: Join Natalie Cannady, Chief Wellness Officer at UAMS as she speaks with Maria Coday and her team at UAMS South about combatting stress.
Stress Resources – It’s hard sometimes to discern what resources are effective. To help with that our mental health taskforce has compiled a list of resources for you on this page: Stress Relief
Emergency Services
The 24/7 free National Crisis Text Line—Text TALK to 741741 to “talk” to a trained counselor via text. Use the 24/7 free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to talk to trained counselors: Call 1-800-273-8255