Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness.
This is an important issue for S:US and close to many of our hearts. Mental health is a critical piece of overall health and affects every aspect of our lives. No family is unaffected by mental illness. Many of us–those of us who work at S:US and the people we serve–have mental health challenges. The past few years have not made these challenges any easier.
We’re highlighting an activity at the Wellness Works Harlem Clinic in commemorating Mental Health Awareness. Clinic staff are participating in several activities that add to their mental health tool kits, including the creation of Wellness Vision Boards. Clinic staff and people served will have the opportunity to collect images, quotes, and words that highlight their goals, aspirations, and intentions in order to actively engage minds and think about goals to accomplish and the roadmap on how to get there.
We can overcome mental health challenges. We can support each other, listen and uplift each other. We can bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care. The more we talk about mental health, the less stigma surrounds it. Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
If you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone you know is going through a tough time, reach out and tell them you are there for them. We are all in this together.
Lastly, check out NAMI-NYC resources for education, support, and advocacy. Together, we support Mental Health for All.