Fallon County Mental Health Council-FCMHC

02/12/2025

As days get shorter, some people feel their energy and mood drop. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is common — and treatable.

☀️ Try getting sunlight early in the day, moving your body, and talking to someone if you’re struggling.

What are your tried and true tips for beating the winter blues?

27/11/2025

🦃 This Thanksgiving, let’s slow down and reflect on what truly matters — connection, kindness, and community.

🌾 FCMHC is grateful for every person working to make Fallon County a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

24/11/2025

Before the holiday rush, take a moment to pause and breathe.
🫁 Try this:

Inhale for 4 seconds

Hold for 4

Exhale for 6
Repeat 3 times.
It’s a simple way to calm your nervous system and reset your focus.

20/11/2025

A fitting story for - one artist's efforts to promote mental health in rural Montana.

"The sculpture, as Dolan describes, simply resembles an iconic red phone booth with signs at its crest displaying three phrases, including Call Home on the front, and Dial 988 — the su***de hotline — and Keep in Touch on either side visible to passersby. "

https://www.rangerreview.com/news/roadside-reminder-montana-sculptor-turns-art-into-lifeline-for-those-battling-depression/article_9d355a30-04bf-4d6e-a0d8-37b09dbd8280.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwdGRjcAOMeTRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4_W-QDSkBc2zhHlV1OcWKNw-FcCU8LxYX8v7YZL2GLYGACNrmbXgfo6UATAg_aem_UscrnhBct6GQwLiD87f2cw

18/11/2025

It's National Self-Care Week, and it couldn’t come at a better moment.

As we head into a season filled with extra commitments, travel, gatherings, and expectations, it’s easy to keep pushing through and forget about ourselves. But here’s the truth: caring for your own well-being makes everything else more manageable.

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a set of practices that support your mental, emotional, and physical health, especially during stressful times.

This week, take a few minutes to create a simple self-care plan.
• What restores your energy?
• What helps you feel grounded?
• What connections support you?

Prioritizing these needs isn’t selfish—it's how we stay steady, resilient, and able to show up for the people we care about. A little intentional care now can make the whole season feel lighter.

18/11/2025

You can call or text, and it doesn't have to be a crisis moment - please reach out!

Need support? Call or text 988 24/7 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. You do not need to be in crisis to contact 988.

13/11/2025

🌎💛 World Kindness Day – November 13 💛🌎

Kindness is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to improve mental health — for ourselves *and* others. A kind word, a helping hand, or a moment of empathy can reduce stress, strengthen connection, and remind us that no one is alone.

Today, let’s make kindness contagious.
✨ Hold the door.
✨ Send a thank-you message.
✨ Check in on a friend.
✨ Offer yourself a little grace.

Every act of kindness ripples through our small community — creating the culture of care and compassion we all deserve. 💫


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12/11/2025

Community Cupboard information!

12/11/2025

When Mike, a U.S. Army Veteran, was seeking treatment for changes in his behavior, he became overwhelmed by all of the options. Eventually, “I was going to two, three appointments a day, five days a week,” he says. “I had to do speech therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy, [and] occupational therapy.”

Those types of proven therapies have helped many Veterans manage their mental health concerns, but Mike says it was hard for him to vocalize what he was going through. “I didn’t like it,” he recalls.

Then one day, Mike discovered art therapy, and everything changed.

Like many Veterans, Mike had trouble expressing himself and dealing with his trauma. Then he discovered art therapy.

11/11/2025

Supporting the Behavioral Health Needs of Our Nation’s Veterans

On Veterans Day, we set aside time to honor the contributions of those who have served. Throughout our nation’s history, millions of Americans have answered the call to uniformed service, and they often continue to lead in their communities once they are out of uniform. Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women transition out of active-duty service and return to civilian life.

This adjustment requires Veterans and their families to reorient their lives across multiple domains including employment, finances, housing, social supports, and health. Life’s transitions are inherently stressful for all of us. They produce changes in relationships and support networks, and they challenge our identities and self-perceptions. Transitions for Veterans can be especially burdensome due to shifting from the unique collective culture of military service to shaping a more individualized role in how they live, work, and interact with others. Studies indicate that 44 percent to 72 percent experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life.

Data also suggests that approximately half of those who recently separated from military service may not immediately connect with available resources, benefits, and services. Without support, more complex behavioral health concerns might emerge. In 2020, approximately 5.2 million Veterans experienced a behavioral health condition. More telling are the numbers of Veterans who were not engaged in treatment; more than half of Veterans with a mental illness did not receive treatment within the past year. Additionally, more than 90 percent of those experiencing a substance use disorder did not receive treatment. This data highlights that our friends, family, and community members may be suffering in silence and that barriers to care exist, including stigma.

Behavioral health is essential to overall health, and we all have a role in ensuring that service members, Veterans and their families are prepared for their next steps in life as they transition.

Continuing reading at:
https://nvhs.org/veterans-and-mental-illness/

09/11/2025

Ever wonder what happens when you call 988? 📲

After a short message and brief hold music, you'll be connected with a compassionate counselor who's ready to listen. They'll make sure you're safe, offer support, and share helpful resources. You're never alone. 💜

08/11/2025

Today’s the perfect day to slow down and savor something warm – it’s National Cappuccino Day! ☕

Just like a good cup of coffee, your mental health needs balance – a little sweetness, a little strength, and time to pause.

As you sip your cappuccino today, take a deep breath. Check in with yourself. How are you really feeling?

Small moments of mindfulness – like enjoying your favorite drink – can calm your nervous system and lift your mood.

So here’s your reminder to take a break, connect with a friend, and fill your own cup today. Because caring for your mind is just as important as your morning coffee.