National Night Out
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA, United StatesNational Night Out is a way to connect and build relationships between First-Responders and the community.
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health is Health…and happiness!
Join Beach Cities Health District to elevate mental health in our community!
Mental health matters. By focusing on mental well-being personally, socially and as a community, we can build resilience, deepen our connections and create a culture that values mental health.
Loneliness, a critical public health concern, affects our physical and mental health. It’s associated with heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death. Loneliness has become so common — affecting at least half of all adults in the United States — that the U.S. Surgeon General considers it an urgent public health concern, worthy of a government advisory issued in May 2023. Surprisingly, you’re not alone — about 60% of U.S. adults feel lonely regularly. The 2023 Gallup Well-Being Index reported nearly 1 in 5 Beach Cities residents having little or no connection to other people.
Let’s address this national and local concern together. Developing social skills can reduce loneliness, benefiting both personal and professional relationships. Regardless of our starting point, we have the capacity to enhance our social skills over time.
Take action to combat loneliness and boost your mental health and happiness:
Take action to combat loneliness and boost your mental health and happiness:
- Practice a Positive Mindset: Building a positive outlook is more than just thinking happy thoughts, it’s about cultivating habits that support mental well-being. These skills help you to cope with life challenges and build a personal practice to support your mental health.
- Gratitude: Develop a practice of expressing kindness and appreciation.
- Resilience: Discover strategies to bounce back from challenges and manage stress.
- Purpose: Find meaning by identifying your values, passions, gifts and talents.
- Build Social Connections
- Initiate Conversations: Push through any hesitation and be open to starting conversations with strangers. A simple smile or friendly greeting can go a long way. Kindness and empathy spark the release of feel-good oxytocin in the brain of everyone involved, including observers. Assume that people like you — they probably do!
- Sense of Belonging: Cultivate a sense of belonging to increase resilience, better cope with difficult times and have supportive relationships. Volunteering, pursuing hobbies or contributing to a cause can create a feeling of belonging. Seek out clubs, classes or local gatherings related to your interests. Participating in shared activities can lead to new friendships, reduce stress, diminish feelings of loneliness and increase your well-being.
- Deepen Relationships: Actively listen when talking to friends or family. Show genuine interest in their lives and share your own experiences. Allowing others to show they care for us is as important as providing care for someone in need. Let’s create a culture of connection and understanding.
- Transform Our Community: Transforming our community starts with changing the way we talk about mental health. By engaging individuals to become mental health advocates, fostering open community conversations, and pushing for policy changes, we can create a culture where mental well-being is prioritized.
- Mental Health Advocates: Engage our community members to advocate for mental well-being and support those who need help.
- Community Dialogues: Encourage community dialogue to elevate mental health and reduce stigma as a collective.
- Policy Changes: Prioritize policies that support mental health to create lasting change.
Remember, within our community, there are fellow seekers of connection. Keep reaching out and remember that meaningful bonds evolve gradually. Fulfilling relationships and social connection are key to happiness, health and longevity.
How to Boost Your Social Skills
Overcoming Loneliness for Better Well-Being
Could your thoughts be making you more lonely?
Tips and Support
It’s important to practice self-care and seek strategies to help us maintain good mental health. In fact, some of the same self-care strategies we use to maintain our physical health, like exercise and healthy eating, can also impact our mental health. It’s important to focus on these preventive actions that support your mental health before you feel overwhelmed.
Eat well: Learn how foods fuel your body. Click here for nutrition guides and recipes. Eating out or doing takeout? Visit a local Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant for healthy options.
Get enough sleep: Did you know that 1 in 3 adults – and even more adolescents – don’t get enough sleep? Click here for more tips on sleep health.
Exercise: Join the Center for Health & Fitness, it’s all here, in the most comprehensive fitness center in the South Bay! State-of-the-art fitness center, yoga, Pilates, weight management and a staff dietitian are just some of what’s offered at the Center for Health and Fitness. Whether you’re devoted to exercise, just getting started, or have special needs, the fitness experts here will design a program just right for you.
Practice mindfulness: Add a mindfulness practice to your daily schedule. Click here for a playlist of guided exercises.
Connect with a Moai: A Moai (pronounced “Mo Eye”) is a group of people meeting for a common purpose and can include activities like walking, purpose discussions and potluck meals. Connect with others who share your passions. Learn more here.
Give back to your community: Volunteer with BCHD and have an integral role in improving the health and well-being of Beach Cities residents – help the community while improving your own well-being! Click here to view current volunteer opportunities.
- Professional help and support are available locally within the Beach Cities.
- For health-related resources and information for adults and families within the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles area call BCHD’s Assistance, Information and Referral Line, (310) 374-3426 and press option 1. Visit us at bchd.org/resources for a wide range of resources including youth, older adult and legal and financial support.
- allcove Beach Cities is a place for young people (ages 12-25) to take a moment of pause and access a range of services: mental health, physical health, supported education and employment, substance use, peer and family support, life skills and wellness, and community.
Learn more here. - If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening concern, please call 9-1-1. If your concern is not life-threatening, support is also available by contacting the 24/7 providers listed below:
- Text “LA” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
- Call 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Call 1-866-488-7386 to reach The Trevor Project for crisis intervention services specific for LGBTQ+ youth
- Call 1-877-541-2525 to reach the Community Helpline for non-emergency support
Upcoming Events
Having trouble viewing the Upcoming Events? Download the calendar here.
6 events found.
In-Person Social Hour with Beach Cities Health District Care Managers
Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA, United StatesIf you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard.
Summer Free Fitness: Zumba in the Park
Julia Field at Alta Vista Park 715 Julia Ave., Redondo Beach, CA, United StatesBeach Cities Sumer Free Fitness Series presents Zumba in the Park, on Julia Field at Alta Vista Park August 4, 11, 18 & 25. Instructors from BCHD’s Center for Health & Fitness will lead all Free Fitness sessions.
Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
Virtual Event
The Families Connected Parent Chat is a free monthly support group open to all South Bay parents and caregivers.
Virtual Happiness Chat
Virtual Event
You are welcome to drop-in for this casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation.
Dementia Caregiver Support Group-Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA, United StatesCaring for a loved one with a dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming and stressful. Our support groups offer a safe space to address the challenges that come with caring for […]
Media Toolkit
Poster (11×17) | Email Signature Image | Zoom Background | Social Image | Social Image: Initiate Conversations | Social Image: Create a Sense of Belonging | Social Image: Deepen Relationships
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