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  <Title>May is Mental Health Awareness Month</Title>
  <Tagline>In Every Story, There is Strength</Tagline>
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    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><div><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149628/attachments/57100" alt="Illustration for Mental Health Awareness Month featuring a gold and black ribbon in the center surrounded by diverse outstretched hands. Text reads: ‘May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Get involved and make a difference!" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  <a href="http://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services</a>, which includes Student Disability Services, joins the movement in solidarity and partnership with <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/hr/posts/149717" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Human Resources</a> with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this together, indeed, we are stronger together when we embrace and support mental health.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">#In Every Story There is Strength</a> is this year's motto from NAMI:  <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">more information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked here.</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects</a> that influence individual journeys, including <a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">people living with a disability</a>.  They also link to <a href="https://themighty.com/2020/06/therapists-with-disabilities/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's NAMI student organization's</a> outreach, to  end the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorders - <a href="https://www.onourownmd.org/s/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On Our Own of Maryland</a>'s Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local Anti-Stigma initiative that supports mental health with local outreach to end stigma.  <a href="https://refocuslookagain.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">More information on their campaign is linked here</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><strong><u><em>Student Resources for undergraduate and graduate students</em></u> </strong>include:</div><div><br><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/counseling/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes</a><a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a><div><ul><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/115499" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities</a></li><li>Online support via <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/togetherall/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Togetherall, Welltrack</a> and Kognito.</li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/resources/on-campus-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Mind Spa</a> (on the first floor of the Center for Wellbeing</li><li><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative (link)</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/health/posts/119224" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><em><strong>Faculty and staff</strong></em> mental health supports available through Human Resources include:</div></div><div><ul><li>Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">employee health benefit</a><a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">s</a>.</li><li>EAP provides <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-information/employee-assistance-program/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)</a></li><li>UMBC's <a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative</a> provides a range of activities that support mental health</li></ul></div><div><div>If a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests via <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link) </a>and work-related accommodations via <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services (link)</a>.  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student employee job-related situations.</div><div><em><strong><br></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Community</strong></em><br></div><div><br><div>While some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen and help via the following resources:<br></div></div><br><div><ul><li><a href="https://988lifeline.org/chat/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support</a></li><li><a href="https://211md.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help</a><br></li><li><a href="https://afsp.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741<br></li><li><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services</a></li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>Have a safe and healthy month!</div></div>
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  <Summary>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, which includes Student Disability Services, joins the...</Summary>
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  <PostedAt>Fri, 09 May 2025 15:58:19 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:05:01 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="149607" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss/posts/149607">
  <Title>April is about Autism Acceptance</Title>
  <Tagline>Making Inclusion and Acceptance the Norm</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><h3><a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism is a Spectrum</a>- and Acceptance Matters</h3><div><br></div><div>April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135257" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> </a><a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">World Autism Awareness Day (link)</a>.   In listening to many within the<span> </span><span>Autism community - there is a call for media to move from outdated and using awareness to <em>acceptance</em> to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - experienc<a href="https://autismsociety.org/autismis/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">e</a></span><a href="https://autismsociety.org/autismis/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><span> more about Autism Society's Autis</span><span>m IS series here</span></a><span>.  Information on <a href="https://www.autism-society.org/what-is/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">What is Autism is linked here</a>, and <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/100498" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.</a></span></div><div><br></div><div>On April 25,<a href="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/governor-moore-proclaims-autism-acceptance-month-in-maryland.aspx#:~:text=Published:%204/25/2023,%E2%80%8B" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Maryland Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month</a>  and <span>Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller presented the Governor’s proclamation to</span><span> recognize people who are living with autism and those who advocate on their behalf, and honor the contributions of the autism community. </span><span>She was joined by Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty and Maryland Statewide Autism Coordinator Victoria Rodriguez-Roldán in unveiling<a href="https://mdod.maryland.gov/asgarn/Documents/MDOD_MDAutismStatePlan_fin%20(1).pdf" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Maryland’s five-year Autism State Plan</a>.</span></div><p><br></p><div>Being on the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a wide range of traits, and is explained well here</a>.  For a more visual presentation, <a href="https://themighty.com/topic/autism-spectrum-disorder/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty</a>. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/different-key/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> PBS's In a Different Key </a>which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.</div><div><br></div><div>Recently, autism has been in the news, resulting in<a href="https://awnnetwork.org/leading-autism-organizations-release-joint-statement-on-upholding-scientific-integrity-and-supporting-the-autism-community/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> leading autism organizations to release this joint statement on upholding scientific integrity and supporting the autism community. </a><br><br>Finally, as we close out Autism Awareness Month, it's important to move beyond basic awareness and focus on real understanding. There are still many myths about autism that create barriers for autistic individuals. With understanding, acceptance, and respect for different communication styles, we can help create a more inclusive world. These facts are based on resources from the <a href="https://www.kennedykrieger.org/stories/myths-facts-about-autism-spectrum-disorder" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Kennedy Krieger Institute</a> and <a href="https://differentminds.scot/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Different Minds Scotland</a>, two organizations doing critical work to promote accurate information about autism. Let's keep learning, listening, and working toward true inclusion, not just in April, but all year long.<br><br><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149537/attachments/56925" alt="Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Everyone with autism is either non-verbal or a savant.' Right side shows fact: Autism Spectrum Disorder varies widely among individuals; not all are non-verbal or savants. Some live independently, while others need more support. Illustration of three people using laptops and phones together." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></div><div><br><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149537/attachments/56926" alt="Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'People with autism cannot form relationships.' Right side shows fact: Many people with autism want and can form strong relationships with support and understanding. Illustration of two people talking and smiling while seated on yellow chairs" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149537/attachments/56928" alt="Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Autism mainly affects young children.' Right side shows fact: Autism is lifelong; people are born autistic, and some aren't diagnosed until adulthood. Illustration of a group of children playing and making heart signs with their hands." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"><br><br><img src="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/149537/attachments/56929" alt="Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'You can tell someone is autistic by looking at them.' Right side shows fact: Autism isn't always visible and should not be dismissed based on appearance. Illustration of four interlocking puzzle pieces in black, gray, and yellow." style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world,</a> often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (<a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">which includes autism</a>) may seek accommodations through <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link)</a> for academic programs, as well as <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">work-related accommodations via Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a>. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com</div><div><br></div><div>*See <a href="https://styleguide.umbc.edu/inclusive-language/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language</a> - it's better to ask about preferences than assume.</div></div>
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  <Summary>Autism is a Spectrum- and Acceptance Matters     April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism...</Summary>
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  <PostedAt>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:29:01 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="141596" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss/posts/141596">
  <Title>May is Mental Health Awareness Month</Title>
  <Tagline>Join the Take The Moment Campaign</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
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        												<div><div><div>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  <a href="http://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services</a>,
     in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the movement  
    with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health 
    awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will 
    have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this 
    together, indeed, we are stronger together for mental health.<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">#Take a Mental Health Moment </a>is this year's motto from NAMI:  <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">more
     information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National 
    Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked 
    here.</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects</a> that influence individual journeys, including <a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">people living with a disability</a>.  They also link to <a href="https://themighty.com/2020/06/therapists-with-disabilities/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition to <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's NAMI student organization's</a> outreach, to  end the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - <a href="https://www.onourownmd.org/s/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On Our Own of Maryland</a>'s
     Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local 
    Anti-Stigma initiative that supports mental health with local outreach 
    to end stigma.  <a href="https://refocuslookagain.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">More information on their campaign is linked here</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:</div></div><div><br></div><div><strong><u><em>Students</em></u> </strong>(undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/counseling/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes</a><a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a><div><ul><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/115499" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities</a></li><li>Online support via <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/togetherall/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Togetherall, Welltrack</a> and Kognito.</li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/resources/on-campus-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Mind Spa</a></li><li><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative (link)</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/health/posts/119224" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><em><strong>Faculty and staff</strong></em> mental health supports available through Human Resources include:</div></div><div><ul><li>Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">employee health benefit</a><a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">s</a>.</li><li>EAP provides <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-information/employee-assistance-program/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)</a></li><li>UMBC's <a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative</a> provides a range of activities that support mental health</li></ul></div><div><div>If
     a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or 
    diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests
     via <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link) </a>and work-related accommodations via <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services (link)</a>.  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student employee job-related situations.</div><div><em><strong><br></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Community</strong></em><br></div><div><br><div>While
     some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  
    anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen 
    and help via the following resources:<br></div></div><br><div><ul><li><a href="https://988lifeline.org/chat/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support</a></li><li><a href="https://211md.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help</a><br></li><li><a href="https://afsp.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741<br></li><li><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services</a></li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>Have a safe and healthy month!</div></div>
        										  </div></div>
]]>
  </Body>
  <Summary>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services,  in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the...</Summary>
  <Website>http://sds.umbc.edu</Website>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 01 May 2024 15:25:01 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="140538" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss/posts/140538">
  <Title>Autism: From Awareness to Acceptance in April</Title>
  <Tagline>Making Inclusion and Acceptance the Norm</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><br><hr>
    
    
    <div>
    <div><h3><a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism is a Spectrum</a>- from Awareness to Acceptance</h3><div><br></div><div>April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135257" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> </a><a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">World Autism Awareness Day (link)</a>.   In listening to many within the<span> </span><span>Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to <em>acceptance</em> to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - </span><a href="https://www.autism-society.org/releases/media-urged-to-recognize-shift-from-autism-awareness-month-to-autism-acceptance-month-this-april/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">read more about it from the Autism Society here</a><span>.  Information on <a href="https://www.autism-society.org/what-is/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">What is Autism is linked here</a>, and <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/100498" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.</a></span></div><div><br></div><div>Being on the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a rainbow of traits, and is explained well here</a>.  <a href="https://themighty.com/topic/autism-spectrum-disorder/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty here</a>. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/different-key/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> PBS's In a Different Key </a>which
     covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range 
    of people with autism, their families and their community.</div><div><br></div><div>People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world,</a>
     often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, 
    and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and 
    work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both 
    undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience
     disability with a diagnosed health condition (<a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">which includes autism</a>) may seek accommodations through <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link)</a> for academic programs, as well as <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">work-related accommodations via Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a>. </div><div><br></div><h3><br></h3><h3>Sexual Assault Awareness Month</h3><div><br></div><div><p><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/132189" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">April is also a time when UMBC highlights awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMB</a>C.
     ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior
     disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Hannah Gadsby speaks about her experience within the wide-ranging special, Nanette</a>.<span> Information on how to access help and support is </span><a href="http://oei.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">available at any time on the ECR website</a><span>.</span></p><p>Learn more about <a href="https://rise.articulate.com/share/h5EztG78j5_1CM3IsHiDnudLye-iITIN'#/lessons/x9D9ShQQSwOsqDdKLItzbM8IHWus1DJF" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disability, Victimization and becoming a survivor here</a>.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/greendot" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Green Dot (prevention) Training</a> and being familiar with <a href="https://ecr.umbc.edu/sexual-and-gender-based-violence-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Resources</a>.</p></div><div><br></div><div>Have a good April everyone!</div><div><br></div>*See <a href="https://styleguide.umbc.edu/inclusive-language/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language</a></div>
    </div></div>
]]>
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  <Summary>Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance     April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism...</Summary>
  <Website>https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-awareness-month/2023/</Website>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:51:27 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="133504" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss/posts/133504">
  <Title>May is Mental Health Awareness Month</Title>
  <Tagline>Join the More Than Enough Campaign</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content">Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  <a href="http://accessibility.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services</a>,
     in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the movement  
    with its many departmental partnerships, to promote mental health 
    awareness, fight stigma, and provide support. One in five people will 
    have a mental health diagnosis in their lifetime.  We are in this 
    together, indeed, we are stronger together for mental health.<div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">#More Than Enough </a>is this year's motto from NAMI:  <a href="https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">more
     information about Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI (National 
    Alliance of Mental Illness), including promotional material, is linked 
    here.</a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">NAMI shares information about identity and cultural aspects</a> that influence individual journeys, including <a href="https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">people living with a disability</a>.  They also link to <a href="https://themighty.com/2020/06/therapists-with-disabilities/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">this article on why having mental health professionals with disabilities is important</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>One challenging area is ending the stigma toward mental health, behavioral health or substance use disorders - <a href="https://www.onourownmd.org/s/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">On Our Own of Maryland</a>'s
     Distorted Perceptions/Refocus Look Again Campaign is a local 
    Anti-Stigma initiative that support mental health by working to end 
    stigma.  <a href="https://refocuslookagain.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">More information on their campaign is linked here</a>.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In addition to the information above, UMBC has many resources and opportunities outlined here:</div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><strong><u><em>Students</em></u> </strong>(undergraduate and graduate) groups and resources include:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/counseling/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Retriever Integrated Heath has counseling and related services (Link) which includes</a><a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><br></a><div><ul><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/115499" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">In-person space for private virtual appointments and Mind Spa amenities</a></li><li>Online support via <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/togetherall/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Togetherall, Welltrack</a> and Kognito.</li><li><a href="https://health.umbc.edu/counseling-services/resources/on-campus-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Mind Spa</a></li><li><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative (link)</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/health/posts/119224" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Reach out Retrievers for connecting with a peer</a></li><li><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/umbcnami" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Student Group</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><em><strong>Faculty and staff</strong></em> mental health supports available through Human Resources include:</div></div><div><ul><li>Access to mental health providers and wellness coaches through <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">employee health benefit</a><a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-providers/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">s</a>.</li><li>EAP provides <a href="https://hr.umbc.edu/benefits/benefit-information/employee-assistance-program/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">24/7 free confidential counseling to employees and their household members via the USM Employee Assistance Program (link)</a></li><li>UMBC's <a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Wellness Initiative</a> provides a range of activities that support mental health</li></ul></div><div><div>If
     a campus member's health situation changes (such as a recent injury or 
    diagnosis, they can apply for, or update academic accommodation requests
     via <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link) </a>and work-related accommodations via <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Accessibility &amp; Disability Services (link)</a>.  ADS works in partnership with HR for faculty, staff and student worker job-related situations.</div><div><em><strong><br></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>Community</strong></em><br></div><div><br><div>While
     some 24 hour resources are provided, it's important to know that  
    anyone can have a moment of crisis, and are people available to listen 
    and help via the following resources:<br></div></div><br><div><ul><li><a href="https://988lifeline.org/chat/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">988 Lifeline for Suicide and Crisis Support</a></li><li><a href="https://211md.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Maryland 211, as in, dial 2-1-1 for help</a><br></li><li><a href="https://afsp.org/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741<br></li><li><a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Trevor Project link for LGBTQ Crisis Services</a></li></ul></div></div><div><br></div><div>Have a safe and healthy month!</div><br></div>
]]>
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  <Summary>Each year, millions of people navigate the lived experience of mental illness.  UMBC's Office of Accessibility and Disability Services,  in solidarity with Student Disability Services, joins the...</Summary>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="false" id="132281" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/sss/posts/132281">
  <Title>Autism: From Awareness to Acceptance in April</Title>
  <Tagline>Inclusion and Acceptance Happen Every Day</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><h4><a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism is a Spectrum</a>- from Awareness to Acceptance</h4><div><div><div><br></div><div>April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1135257" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> World Autism Awareness Day (link)</a>, with more <a href="https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-awareness-month/2023/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">events happening across the United States</a>.   In listening to many within the<span> </span><span>Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to <em>acceptance</em> to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - </span><a href="https://www.autism-society.org/releases/media-urged-to-recognize-shift-from-autism-awareness-month-to-autism-acceptance-month-this-april/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">read more about it from the Autism Society here</a><span>.  Information on <a href="https://www.autism-society.org/what-is/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">What is Autism is linked here</a>, and <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/100498" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.</a></span></div><div><br></div><div>Being on the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a rainbow of traits, and is explained well here</a>.  <a href="https://themighty.com/topic/autism-spectrum-disorder/rebecca-burgess-comic-redesigns-the-autism-spectrum/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty here</a>. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/different-key/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> PBS's In a Different Key </a>which
     covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range 
    of people with autism, their families and their community.</div><div><br></div><div>People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the <a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world,</a>
     often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, 
    and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and 
    work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both 
    undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience
     disability with a diagnosed health condition (<a href="https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">which includes autism</a>) may seek accommodations through <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Student Disability Services (link)</a> for academic programs, as well as <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodations/requesting-work-related-accommodations-at-umbc-procedures/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">work-related accommodations via Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</a>. </div><div><br></div><h3>Sexual Assault Awareness Month</h3><div><br></div><div><p><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/healthed/posts/132189" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">April is also a time when UMBC highlights awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMB</a>C.
     ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior
     disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Hannah Gadsby speaks about her experience within the wide-ranging special, Nanette</a>.<span> Information on how to access help and support is </span><a href="http://oei.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">available at any time on the OEI website</a><span>.</span></p><p>Learn more about <a href="https://rise.articulate.com/share/h5EztG78j5_1CM3IsHiDnudLye-iITIN'#/lessons/x9D9ShQQSwOsqDdKLItzbM8IHWus1DJF" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Disability, Victimization and becoming a survivor here</a>.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/greendot" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Green Dot (prevention) Training</a> and being familiar with <a href="https://oei.umbc.edu/oei-resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC Resources</a>.</p></div><div><br></div><div>Have a good April everyone!</div><div><br></div>*See <a href="https://styleguide.umbc.edu/inclusive-language/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language</a></div>
    </div>
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    <br>
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  <Summary>Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance       April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link), with more events happening across the...</Summary>
  <Website>https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/autism-awareness-month/2023/</Website>
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  <Tag>neurotypical</Tag>
  <Tag>race</Tag>
  <Tag>social</Tag>
  <Tag>spectrum</Tag>
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  <PostedAt>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 17:01:29 -0400</PostedAt>
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