Adults who are emotionally intelligent are self-aware, emotionally literate, practice emotional self-regulation, and model prosocial behaviors. When adults possess these skills, they are able to effectively collaborate with colleagues. Adults need to feel empowered, supported, and valued. Adults who work with children need to be able to model these skills, so it's important that adults practice and develop these skills.
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SEL for adults must include opportunities for learning, practice, collaboration, and modeling strategies. Resources for activities and more information include: 
SEL for Adults: Self-Awareness and Self-Management
A Comprehensive Guide to Adult SEL
​CASEL: Strengthen Adult Social, Emotional, and Cultural Competence
Why Continued Adult SEL is Needed
CASEL: Strengthen Adult SEL
10 Activities for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for Your Learners and You
SEL Activities for Employee Performance Management

National Make A Difference Day is celebrated every fourth Saturday of October as a day to volunteer or participate in community service. To participate in Make A Difference Day consider:

• Volunteering in your community
• Being a mentor
• Making a donation to a meaningful cause
• Saying a kind word to someone
• Lending a helping hand

Volunteering and involvement in community service are considered to boost mental health and give a sense of purpose. Benefits of volunteering include life satisfaction, the “Helper’s high,” and enjoyable aging. There are a few reasons why volunteering is beneficial to your mental health, these include but are not limited to -- 

• Volunteering is rewarding
• ​Volunteering boosts our social connection and sense of community
• Volunteering keeps us connected, even in retirement
• Volunteering can build professional skills and new opportunities
  

Volunteer with us!
Social Emotional Learning: How Students Grow and Develop Through Service
Local Opportunities to Volunteer
Volunteer Projects Help Teens Build Important SEL Skills
Harnessing Service Learning to Build Social, Emotional, and Academic Skills
United Way Volunteer Opportunities in Birmingham

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 as an international day to raise awareness of mental health issues globally and organize efforts in support of mental health. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2021 is “mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality.” 
World Health Organization (WHO) explains in detail the effects of mental health internationally. WHO is working to improve the mental health of individuals and society through the promotion of mental health, the prevention of mental disorders, the protection of human rights, and the care of people affected by mental disorders. There are 10 facts noted by WHO that demonstrates the impact of mental health globally. 

1. Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal diseases (WHO, 2019).
2. Approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents globally have a mental disorder (WHO, 2019).
3. Depression is a common mental disorder that is estimated to affect 5% of the world’s adults (WHO, 2019).  
4. About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 (WHO, 2019). 
5. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals from the age of 15-29. Almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds (WHO, 2019). 
6. Approximately 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder (WHO, 2019).
7. In comparison with the general population, those suffering from severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier (WHO, 2019). 
8. Rates of mental health workers vary from less than 2 per 100,000 populations in low-income countries to more than 70 per 100,000 in high-income countries (WHO, 2019).
9. Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions (WHO, 2019).
10. The global economy loses about $1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety (WHO, 2019). 

At ACE, we are dedicated to Social Emotional Learning which has been proven to decrease the number and lessen the severity of mental health disorders. When you know how to identify emotions, manage emotions, and communicate about your mental health, you're more likely to reach out for help. Our work is deeply rooted in mental health, so we want to make sure that everyone has the skills they need to be able to cope and handle life's stressors. 

Mental Health Resources:
CDC: People Seeking Help
National Institute of Mental Health: Help for Mental Illnesses
6 Facts Parents Should Know about Mental Illness in Teens
31 Tips to Boost Your Mental Health
Self-Care: 12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself
Teachers: Protecting Your Mental Health
12 Resources to Help You Address Mental Health in Schools
The Trevor Project: For Young LGBTQ Lives
Birmingham Local Mental Health Resources