May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month, Louisville is emphasizing the importance of asking for help if needed and highlighting the resources across the Metro. “A lot of work is being done to ensure that everyone in Louisville has access to more mental health services,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. During Mental Health Awareness Month, many advocates and those who have a personal story on how mental health has impacted them share their stories. Michelle Jones became an advocate after her brother, Pete, died by suicide seven years ago. She created the non-profit “The Pete Foundation.”“At first, this work for us was about carrying out my brother’s legacy, but very quickly, it became about providing our Louisville community about what it desperately needs, and that is eliminating the stigma around mental illness in order to reduce suicides,” Jones said.Through their work, they created the first mental health flag. “It was created by our community for our community,” Jones said. Now, the community can see that flag all year round on a new mural that was unveiled on Tuesday on Maker Alley.Damon Thompson, who recreated the mural, said it’s more than just paint and bright colors. The green symbolizes strength, while the yellow represents hope. “I want anyone that feels like they are in an inescapable situation, whether it’s from shame or grief or regret or just depression, that there is hope. There are people that you can reach out to, and from your dark place, you will find light,” Thompson said.This mural is meant to be an interactive art piece. If you may be struggling with mental health issues or know someone who has lost their life to suicide, you can write your own name on this wall or your loved one or friend to pay tribute to them and honor yourself in your walk.“For graffiti, making a mark on the wall is a way acknowledging you exist and this is a way that we can acknowledge our loved ones and people we have known that are still with us,” Thompson said.An imprint to remember the fight and journey beyond the month of May.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month, Louisville is emphasizing the importance of asking for help if needed and highlighting the resources across the Metro.
“A lot of work is being done to ensure that everyone in Louisville has access to more mental health services,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg.
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During Mental Health Awareness Month, many advocates and those who have a personal story on how mental health has impacted them share their stories. Michelle Jones became an advocate after her brother, Pete, died by suicide seven years ago.
She created the non-profit “The Pete Foundation.”
“At first, this work for us was about carrying out my brother’s legacy, but very quickly, it became about providing our Louisville community about what it desperately needs, and that is eliminating the stigma around mental illness in order to reduce suicides,” Jones said.
Through their work, they created the first mental health flag.
“It was created by our community for our community,” Jones said.
Now, the community can see that flag all year round on a new mural that was unveiled on Tuesday on Maker Alley.
Damon Thompson, who recreated the mural, said it’s more than just paint and bright colors. The green symbolizes strength, while the yellow represents hope.
“I want anyone that feels like they are in an inescapable situation, whether it’s from shame or grief or regret or just depression, that there is hope. There are people that you can reach out to, and from your dark place, you will find light,” Thompson said.
This mural is meant to be an interactive art piece. If you may be struggling with mental health issues or know someone who has lost their life to suicide, you can write your own name on this wall or your loved one or friend to pay tribute to them and honor yourself in your walk.
“For graffiti, making a mark on the wall is a way acknowledging you exist and this is a way that we can acknowledge our loved ones and people we have known that are still with us,” Thompson said.
An imprint to remember the fight and journey beyond the month of May.