Mental Health Bulletin Board Ideas

Whether you work in a school or a health care environment, a bulletin board about mental health can educate your visitors about mental health problems and resources. Bulletin boards provide a visual display to educate viewers about a particular topic. The board might be interactive or simply presentational; in either case, it can be a simple yet effective way to deliver important information.

Signs and Symptoms

• A bulletin board advertising the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders helps viewers identify those signs and symptoms within themselves or in someone they know. Each month the bulletin board can highlight a specific mental illness, from depression to bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders.

  Include common signs and symptoms of these disorders as well as a selection of resources for what to do if you notice these symptoms. Resources can include information on making an appointment to speak with a counselor or an appropriate toll-free help line.

Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders are a common mental health problem in schools. A bulletin board about eating disorders in a school guidance office or health class can educate young people about eating disorders and hopefully prevent future problems. This bulletin board can highlight the specific symptoms of bulimia and anorexia as well as resources for finding help for these disorders. Students might recognize these symptoms in a friend and use the bulletin board to find ways to help.

Childhood Disorders

• A bulletin board about common childhood mental health disorders could be useful for parents and teachers alike. This type of bulletin board highlights childhood disorders such as those on the autism spectrum, Tourette's syndrome, and even childhood depression and anxiety.

  Parents and teachers can use this bulletin board to discover the symptoms of these disorders as well as any treatment that may be available or necessary. The board should also highlight local resources and support groups within the school system and community for parents to seek advice and counsel from knowledgeable experts in the field of childhood mental health.

Healthy Tips

• There are often a variety of bulletin boards in schools or health care facilities about physical health and fitness; mental health should not be neglected in this area. Create a bulletin board display with tips for maintaining mental health.

  Suggested tasks and activities can include getting regular exercise, spending time in the sunlight, taking time for hobbies and friends, and even having a pet to care for. All of these activities can help people who might be facing a mental illness such as depression. Also include ideas for maintaining mental alertness and avoiding mental health problems at an older age, such as participating in book groups or completing brain teasers and puzzles.