MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness throughout the month of May. Following a year of challenges caused by COVID-19, raising awareness about the importance of mental health and reducing barriers to treatment, such as stigma, are more important than ever.

1 in 5 people will have some kind of mental illness in a given year. Stigma is the greatest barrier to individuals seeking help regarding their mental illness. Now, more than ever before, many of us could be feeling increased anxiety, stress or loneliness following a year of living with the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is OK to not be OK right now. May serves as a great opportunity for our community to begin eliminating stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. By breaking down the stigma around mental illness, we can support those who are struggling to find the resources and treatment they deserve.

To learn more about how you can help end mental illness stigma and access free mental health resources, visit: MakeItOK.org/Iowa and call Promise Community Health Center at 712-722-1700 to make an appointment to speak to a provider about mental wellness today!

During the month of May our Promise Community Health Center will be following the Mental Health Awareness Month Calendar from the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office and posting each days’ activities on our social media! Won’t you join us?

Print off the calendar here and if you complete the activity for that day post a picture of it on the comments of our social media posts OR use an icon representing that days’ activity and your name!

Commenting on our mental health posts this month means your name will be put in a drawing at the end of May, for a chance to win some amazing Promise swag!