By Shawn Nowlin
Mental illness, defined as “health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior,” impacts more individuals than people realize. Data collected from the National Alliance on Mental Illness suggests that more than 50 million Americans are impacted by mental illnesses with one in five adults experiencing at least one mental health condition each year.
Every May, National Mental Awareness Month is celebrated all over the nation. Last Thursday, United Way of the Roanoke Valley at 325 Campbell Avenue partnered with its community organizations to launch a public awareness campaign to eliminate the stigma that often surrounds mental health. Carilion Clinic, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health (BRBH), Bradley Free Clinic (BFC), and Family Service of Roanoke Valley (FSRV) all participated in the initiative.
The May 4 presenters were Sara Harig, FSRV Clinical Behavioral Health Program Manager; Christine Wright, BFC Behavioral Health Program Manager; Brian Bailey, BFC Community Health Worker; Letitia Hawkins-Beatty, BRBH Division Director for Adult & Family Services and Erynn Miller, Carilion Clinic Community Health Educator, all emphasized the available community resources and what interested individuals can do to make a difference.
On the importance of destigmatizing mental health, Miller said, “This is similar to those of cancer diagnosis, but we treat it entirely differently. Every service that we offer at community health and outreach is absolutely free to the public and entirely voluntary. We also offer peer recovery and community health worker services through our community-based workforce.”
Further elaborating, Hawkins-Beatty said, “Certainly, this pandemic has exacerbated mental health needs throughout the community. We are also seeing that symptoms of mental health are showing up earlier in our youth. The time has come to bring awareness and share a powerful, hopeful message that this is all treatable.”
Last Thursday’s event occurred as mental illness issues remain on the rise all across the Commonwealth. Since the start of the COVID pandemic four years ago, an overwhelming percentage of caregivers have seen an increase in behavioral and mental health issues, especially among children.
Dubbed “Go Green for Mental Heath,” the aforementioned organizations are encouraging people to wear green buttons and ribbons with the mental health flag to raise awareness. “We are asking folks to wear and share. Wearing that ribbon shares much-needed information. People can visit uwrv.org to learn more information,” Leslie Clark, Director of Family Strategies for United Way of Roanoke Valley, said.
Those dealing with mental health issues are encouraged to contact 866-903-3787 or text HOME to 741741 for free support.
