The Center for Counseling & Consultation held its fifth annual Mental Health Awareness Day on Tuesday to help raise awareness for people in Great Bend and the surrounding communities.
“It is very important to raise awareness for mental health,” Clinical Director Gail Sullivan said. “There is a lot of stuff going on in the country that people need mental health help and they are just not getting it. Even though we are here, they might not come in for reasons of stigma. They don’t want people to know they are getting mental health help. We want to make getting this kind of help like any other medical treatment. We want to make it everyday business to help people with their needs.”
The awareness day had things for people of all ages. There were information booths set up, a bouncy house for the children, a drum-making workshop, food and games for people to take part in to learn about mental health.
“We want to make it easier and let people know that we are a friendly place and they are welcome to come here and get the help they need. This is the reason why we do this event, to get the word out,” Sullivan said.
The awareness day also showcased the new program The Center for Counseling & Consultation is offering for support/emotional support animals. This new program offers classes to teach people the difference between different support animals and the laws related to these animals.
“Emotional support/service animals is another tool that people can use to help them function and overcome challenges,” Sullivan said. “The class teaches them how these animals can help them. So having these animals when we need them is very important.”
For more information about the emotional support animals program, call The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 620-792-2544.