Greetings Readers!

Have you been feeling bored lately? Do you feel like there’s “nothing fun to do” around you? It can be a challenge to find ways to avoid boredom or even avoid that “burnt out” feeling from having the same day-to-day routine. July is National Anti-boredom Month, and we are here to help break the boredom! Before we continue, here are this month’s affirmations:

  • I find the good and the fun in every situation.

  • My joy is not based on the amount of money I spend.

  • I enjoy the time I spend with the people I love and care about.

Breaking boredom does not have to come with an expensive price tag, or so much planning that it becomes overwhelming. There are ways to have fun while staying out of the heat, using what can be found in the house, and that includes all the family members. According to the Triple P Parenting Program offered by Touchstone Health Services, spending time with family helps with developing good relationships, and it shows your child you are there for them. Some boredom breaking ideas include:

  • Build a blanket/sheet fort at home using couches or other furniture as support. Have a picnic in the fort or play card or board games.

  • Cook or bake something together as a family. For fun recipe ideas, visit https://tasty.co/article/melissaharrison/cooking-with-kids

  • If there is access to art supplies such as crayons, colored pencils, or paints try fingerpainting or having an art contest. 

  • If access to the internet is available, you can create your own jeopardy games online, or play an already created jeopardy. To create or find a template, visit https://jeopardylabs.com/

  • If access to the internet is available, the San Diego zoo offers live webcam views of various animals in the zoo. To watch, visit https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History also offers free virtual tours of various exhibits at https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour.

  • Learn a new skill independently or as a family. Ideas include gardening, writing poems, create vision boards, or learning to juggle!

For more ideas, visit https://ymcacf.org/news/enrichment-activities-for-families/

July is also National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are a few more positive affirmations:

  • I will not stress about things I cannot control.

  • My body is healthy, and my mind is brilliant.

  • I’m allowed to make mistakes; they do not make up my whole story.

Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, background, or any other factors. However, these factors often present barriers and challenges for those experiencing mental health conditions from receiving and accessing treatment or support. Specifically, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other underrepresented communities face unique struggles when it comes to mental health.  These barriers include but are not limited to:

  • Language barriers

  • Lack of healthcare facilities within traveling distance

  • Cultural stigmas/stereotypes

  • Lack of awareness as to why counseling services are important

  • Fear of deportation/exposure or harm to oneself and one’s family

July is a great opportunity to promote actions that break down these barriers and promote healthy conversations surrounding mental health specifically as it affects BIPOC communities. Touchstone Health Services offers a variety of services including primary care, outpatient services, school-based services, and more to youth and families in Arizona. To find out more information about which services would be right for you, visit Touchstonehs.org or contact the Member Services and Referral Line at
(866) 207-3882.

For more resources and information, check out these helpful sources:

Here’s how YOU can be a Prevention Partner: 

  • Start a positive conversation in your community about mental health. The more frequently mental health is discussed, the lower the stigma surrounding mental health becomes. 

  • Share local mental health resources for the BIPOC groups in your community. 

  • Be an ally to those who are facing mental health struggles. This could include offering a friend transportation to health services, being a listening ear for a friend who would like to talk, or connecting a friend with a health professional who can further help. 

  • Enroll yourself or your youth into one of the programs offered by Touchstone Health Services.

If you would like to learn more about mindfulness skills, CARE offers CARE’s Soothing Place for teens and parents to support you on your journey into yourself. For more information and resources, please visit our Soothing Place on the CARE website. 

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others: 

  • Call 911
  • Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
  • Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224

For the youth, if you know you or your friends need immediate help, call Teen Lifeline. Teen Lifeline is a 24-7 crisis line for teens where teens can call or text another teen about any problems or issues they are facing. This resource is also available to parents and families for support.

  • In Maricopa County: 602-248-8336 (TEEN)
  • Outside Maricopa County: 1-800-248-8336 (TEEN)
  • Outside Arizona/Nationally: 1-877-YOUTHLINE or 1-800-SUICIDE