While planning for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Day, organizers are keeping one theme in mind.
The gist of the theme is “Where to Start,” which was conceived by Mental Health America, an organization that focuses on community education and engagement. The organization and its affiliates established May as Mental Health Month in 1949.
The 11th annual local observance is set for 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend. It is hosted by The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway.
“The theme of ‘Where to Start’ is especially appropriate for our annual event,” said Holly Bowyer, who heads up The Center’s planning committee. “Oftentimes, people who consider seeking help with mental-health issues are not sure where to begin.
“This is where the local event comes into play. The Center and approximately 20 other organizations are here to answer your questions. But even if you know a little bit about some local resources, exhibitors can provide fresh information at their booths.”
The Center’s booths will offer information about Community Support Services, Community Based Services, Care Coordination, Substance Abuse Disorder, Crisis Case Management and #ZeroReasonsWhy.
The non-profit agency’s medical and clinical departments also will be represented, along with information about The Center becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in the near future.
“We appreciate everyone here at The Center, as well as our many local partners,” Bowyer commented. “Each organization is committed to reducing the mental-health stigma and providing access to services.”
The whole family
Since Mental Health Awareness Day is for the whole family, the event caters to all ages. This includes large tricycles, a bounce house, yard games, face painting, drum circle, and arts and crafts.
Hot dogs, chips and popcorn are available at no cost while supplies last.
“We want to share information about local mental-health resources, while offering a fun way for everyone to have a good time,” Bowyer said. “This is a great opportunity for all of us to come together to support one another and enjoy a few hours outside.”
Julie Kramp, The Center’s executive director, said the “community should applaud the efforts of the agency’s staff in organizing and participating in the event. They realize how important mental-health resources are to our entire community and deserve all the credit. I appreciate their commitment.”
Event sponsors are Sunflower Health Plan, Aetna Better Health of Kansas and Abbey Carpet & Floor in Great Bend.
Mental Health America
The full name of this year’s theme is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.”
Mental Health America’s website notes that “in a world that is constantly evolving, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various challenges and changes happening around us. The pressures of work, relationships and societal factors like politics, climate change and the economy, can significantly impact our mental well-being, sometimes even more than we realize.”
The organization encourages everyone to “join us in promoting wellness, providing vital resources and education, and advocating for the mental health and well-being of us all.”
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
