A belief in potential. A right to dream. An opportunity to achieve.
Welcome to SCCMHA
We at SCCMHA have a deep-seated belief in the potential of every person we meet.
These same persons have a right to dream and imagine a life of their choosing and we are here to support those dreams and help them with opportunities to achieve.
March is National Social Worker Month
Social Work Month is recognized every March to honor the mission of social workers who work to enhance the well-being of all those we seek to serve. This year, the theme of Social Work Month, through the National Association of Social Workers, is Uplift. Defend. Transform.
It is vital that we are about to transform the lives of the people we work with every day, working to uplift and defend individuals in our communities so they can overcome personal and societal challenges, and in some cases, thrive in the face of them.
Every day, social workers interact with individuals of all ages and backgrounds to help them overcome issues, such as food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or limited access to health care. They are also on the frontlines to help address mental health and substance use disorder crises in our country.
Social work is viewed as one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, projections show that more than 836,000 social workers will be employed in the US by 2033.
Social workers make efforts to seek equal care and social justice for all peoples, working in a variety of different places – schools, hospitals, mental health practices, veteran centers, child welfare agencies and many others.
We continue to see efforts from social workers today to move our country and our communities forward. At SCCMHA, we are so grateful to our social workers for the work they do for our persons served to improve their lives on a daily basis.
For more information: Social Work Month (socialworkers.org)
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and their partners collaborate to commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).
The focus of DDAM is to promote understanding and awareness of people with developmental disabilities and to work to break down barriers to value and include everyone in social and community life, regardless of their abilities.
The observance of the holiday originated in 1987, when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.”
The NACDD works to promote education and highlight change to assist in the integration of those who have developmental disabilities into everyday life, and generate discussions on education, employment and accessibility.
Happy Women’s History Month!
This month-long celebration has been a call to action to honor and thank women around the world for their accomplishments. However, women have been making great strides and impacts long before then-President Jimmy Carter’s 1980 proclamation to establish the holiday.
Women’s History Month commemorates the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women that are still felt today.
It is also a push for global activism, encouraging everyone to fight for women’s equality in society and the workplace. The more we speak up and take action, the more change we can instill going forward.
Today, we at SCCMHA also celebrate the accomplishments made by women in our community that help push our society forward and improve our world, but we also must work to make positive steps to fight for women and inspire inclusion.
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
For this year’s World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, Down Syndrome International has declared the theme to stand Together Against Loneliness. People with Down syndrome experience loneliness just like everyone else and should be put in places where they can be with others, establish relationships and make friends.
Because of this, we encourage everyone to ensure that people with Down syndrome or any intellectual disability is included and valued in their communities!
Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome, which occurs when an individual has an extra copy of chromosome 21, causing some developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Many with Down syndrome don’t necessarily get the support they need, so raising awareness to our elected leaders to ensure they make positive legislative steps to ensure that support is crucial.
Originally declared by the UN in December 2011, the holiday is geared to help raise awareness and inform on the importance of education, appropriate research and adequate access to health care for individuals with Down syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day helps to educate people on, but also celebrate those who have Down syndrome and their accomplishments and the barriers they break down to be successful members of society.
In an effort to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day, the idea to wear “Odd Socks” became a way to generate conversation about Down syndrome. Those who want to participate can wear mismatched or crazy socks, so when someone asks you about them, you can explain to them the cause, the reasoning and why Down syndrome awareness is so important.
Let’s work to lift up those with Down syndrome and make sure they get the support they need!
For more information: Home - World Down Syndrome Day
March 30 - World Bipolar Day
According to the National Institute for Mental Health, an estimated 4.4 percent of U.S. adults have experienced bipolar disorder at some time in their life and over 60 million people worldwide are affected. To raise awareness of the impact of this illness and eliminate the social stigma of it, March 30 is recognized as World Bipolar Day.
March 30 is also noted as the birthday of artist Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. World Bipolar Day provides a platform for global education of the illness, open discussion and improved sensitivity regarding symptoms and myths.
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and activity level. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can vary from day to day based on different environments an individual is in.
Common misconceptions of bipolar disorder include the thoughts that individuals with bipolar disorder
- are either manic or depressed.
- Many people with bipolar disorder can go long periods of time with no symptoms at all. This is know as euthymia.
- can’t hold a steady job.
- For some, work is an effective way to give individuals with bipolar disorder a sense of structure in their lives, as well as reducing depression and increasing their confidence.
- are all the same.
- Bipolar disorder is a distinctly different disorder from person to person, akin to snowflakes, where no two are the same. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience different types and different severities and symptoms.
To support those with bipolar disorder, you can educate yourself further about the illness and discovering ways you can help those who may have it. You can also look for efforts to encourage leaders and experts to investigate causes, diagnoses and further treatments.
To learn more: World Bipolar Day - International Bipolar Foundation (ibpf.org) | World Bipolar Day - Home | Common Myths About Bipolar Disorder | Banner Health