FLINT, Mich. – May is mental health awareness month and Easterseals MORC wants you to know they can help if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need someone to talk to.
All month long they are doing a campaign to raise awareness and let people know they are not alone.
It’s called the “Be Kind to your Mind” campaign this is the fourth year Easterseals MORC has done this and they say now more than ever these resources are needed in our community as the mental health crisis has only gotten worse.
Mental Health Awareness Month was started in 1949 by Mental Health America. It was meant to raise awareness and let people know there is help out there.
The National Council for Mental Health Wellbeing says in 2021 less than 50 percent of adults experiencing a mental health illness received treatment.
“There’s a lot of stigma kind of surrounding mental health and seeking help for mental health challenges,” says Heidi Vanderbeek, she is the communications and awareness Specialist Team Leader at Easterseals MORC.
She says asking for help is not a weakness.
“I like to think of it as a strength because it’s, you know, you have a broken arm and you know, you go and get that fix, and you get that checked out. It’s no different than being like, Oh, I have anxiety and here’s a breathing technique that I like to share,” says Vanderbeek.
Easterseals MORC has free resources all month long.
“We really want to encourage people to take care of their mental health and be a little bit kinder to themselves this month, because, you know, you’re not alone and there is help out there as well,” she says.
Last year a report published by the White House said “Our nation is facing a mental health crisis among people of all ages, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made these problems worse.”
“We’re really encouraging people to, you know, be kind to their mind,” says Vanderbeek.
A reminder for all this month that there is help out there.
Because no one has to battle this mental crisis alone.
MORE ON EASTERSEALS MORC HERE.