Mental Health and Wellness Information

Resources to help New Yorkers understand mental wellness, cope with everyday stress, and stay resilient.

These documents are available for free to the public. There are also publications available for a fee. Contact the Design Center for more information.

Stress Management and Resiliency

• 5 Ways to Center Yourself
  Use these strategies to calm yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
• Understanding Stress and Anxiety
  Learn about the common signs of stress and anxiety and how to cope with them.
• Self-Care at Work
  An infographic with wellness tips you can do from your desk.
• Stress Management for Students
  An infographic with stress relief tips for students
• Resiliency Tips for New Yorkers
  A shareable infographic with resiliency reminders and tips for mental wellness.
• Mental Wellness in the Winter Months
  Wellness tips to help you with the winter blues.
• Self-Care for Frontline Workers
  An infographic with wellness tips for NY’s frontline workers.
• The Mental Health Effects of Racism - Español, 繁體字, 简体中文, বাঙালি, Kreyòl ayisyen,
  한국어 , Русскийy, יידיש
  Learn about the impact racism has on your mental health and how to cope with racism and racial trauma.
• Social Media Shareables
  Coping tips and crisis resources for you to use and share.
• How I Stay Resilient
  A free, print-at-home journal created by OMH to promote resilient thinking among New Yorkers.
• Coping with Grief
  Reminders for people processing grief.
• Stress Management Tips for the Holidays
  An infographic with tips for the holiday season and warning signs of stress.
• Breathing Exercises for Everyone
  Slow, deep breathing can help us relax, manage stress and reliefe mild mental health symptoms.
• Breathing Exercises for Kids
  Teach children how to use deep breathing to help when they are feeling overwhelmed.

How To Help Others

• Just Checking In - Español, বাঙালি, Kreyòl ayisyen, 한국어, Русская версия, 中文,
  繁體字, אידיש
  Learn how to start a conversation about mental health and find ways to respond when someone is struggling
• Helping Others Cope with Grief
  Ten tips for helping others grieve.
• Grief Counseling Resource Guide - A Field Manual
  This manual has been developed as a guide for those who encounter individuals reacting to trauma related grief reactions during their outreach work.
• How To Help Someone Experiencing Emotional Distress
  Three steps to help someone in distress.

Resources for Families

• A Guide for Parents: One to Five Year Olds, Five to Ten Year Olds, Ten to Twelve Year Olds,
  12 to 15 Year Olds, 15 to 18 Year Olds
  Promoting your child’s social and emotional development
• Project TEACH Parent and Family Resources
  Learn more about mild to moderate health conditions that impact children and how to get help for your child.
• Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction - Español
  A handbook for families and friends of people with psychiatric disorders.

Resources for School and Mental Health Partners

• Suicide Prevention in New York Schools
  This comprehensive guide offers educators the resources and best practices towards the prevention of youth suicide.
• A Primer on the NYS Children’s Mental Health System
  What school district leaders should know when creating school and mental health partnerships.
• Education 101 for Mental Health Leaders
  What local mental health leaders should know when creating partnerships with NYS schools.
• Improving School and Community Outcomes for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges

OMH Spotlight Series

OMH’s Spotlight series highlights the challenges faced by different New York populations. We recognize the unique issues surrounding mental health and invite you to learn more.

• Spotlight on Mental Health
• Spotlight on African Americans
• Spotlight on Asian Americans
• Spotlight on Domestic Violence
• Spotlight on Gender
• Spotlight on Human Trafficking
• Spotlight on Immigrants and Refugees
• Spotlight on Jewish Americans
• Spotlight on Latinx/Hispanics
• Spotlight on LGBTQIA+ People of Color
• Spotlight on LGBTQIA+ Youth
• Spotlight on Older New Yorkers
• Spotlight on Rural New Yorkers
• Spotlight on Suicide
• Spotlight on Veterans

Language Matters

OMH recognizes that the language we use matters to those around us. We invite you to learn more about which terms to use and which terms to avoid.

• Language Matters - Gender
• Language Matters - Suicide

Behavioral Health Booklets

• Anxiety Disorders - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  A booklet to help you identify the symptoms and causes of anxiety disorders. It will also explain how to obtain treatment and suggest ways to make such treatment more effective.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  A variety of medications, behavior–changing therapies, and educational options are available to help people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) focus their attention, build self–esteem, and function in new ways.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens
  ADHD can begin in childhood and continue into the teen years and adulthood. Learn more about ADHD, how it is diagnosed, and how to find support for the young people in your life.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  ASD is a neurological and development disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.
• Bipolar Disorder - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  Bipolar disorder, also know at manic–depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
• Bipolar Disorder in Teens - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  Anyone can develop bipolar disorder, including children and teens. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment.
• Borderline Personality Disorder
  Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person’s ability to regulate their emotions. Learn more about the disorder, how it’s diagnosed, and available treatments.
• Depression - Español, 中文, PyCCКИ
  Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have the disorder, but also to those who care about them. There are now medications and psychosocial therapies that ease the pain of depression.
• Men and Depression
  Depression affects men in large numbers, but they are less likely to recognize the symptoms, talk about depression, and seek treatment.
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
  DMDD is a condition in which children and adolescents experience ongoing irritability, anger, and frequent, intense temper outburst. Learn the basics of DMDD and what treatments are available for this newly classified disorder.
• Eating Disorders - Español, 中文, PyCCКИ
  Facts about eating disorders and the search for solutions.
• Heat Illness - Español, ةي برع ل ا, 中文, РyССКИЙ, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Ìtàliànà, 한국어를
  Learn more about different heat illnesses, who is at high risk, and how to avoid complications from heat illnesses.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  The thoughts and behaviors that characterize OCD can interfere with daily life, but treatment can help people manage their symptoms.
• Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder Information - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder is a normal reaction to seriously disturbing events. This booklet examines the signs, symptoms and steps you can take to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Schizophrenia - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. However, this is a time of hope for people with schizophrenia and their families. Research is gradually leading to new and safer medications and unraveling the complex causes of the disease.
• Teen Depression - Español, 中文, PyCCКИЙ
  Learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression in teenagers.

Coloring Books

• Color Me Hopeful: Shades of Expression
  The 4th edition of Color Me Hopeful is now available. Created for the 2019 Great New York State Fair, the coloring book features artwork by the people we serve
• Color Me Hopeful: Reflections of Recovery
  OMH has released the 3rd Edition of Color Me Hopeful for the 2018 Great New York State Fair. The coloring book features artwork created by the people we serve.
• Color Me Hopeful: Sharing a Creative Vision
  For the 2017 Great New York State Fair, OMH has released the 2nd edition of our coloring book that features artwork created by the people we serve.
• Color Me Hopeful
  The Office of Mental Health has designed a coloring book filled with artwork created by the people we serve. Studies show coloring can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem. It was with that in mind that OMH created this coloring book and made them available to the public at the 2016 New York State Fair.