May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Your Mental Health Connection Group encourages you to heighten your own awareness of mental illness/health during the month of May. Here are a few suggestions:

What we can do: Education

Check out the following websites to increase your understanding of mental health.

NAMI FaithNet www.nami.org/namifaithnet

Mental Health Ministries  www.MentalHealthMinistries.net

Pathways to Promise  www.Pathways2Promise.org

What we can do: Support

Attend our Mental Health Group- our next meeting will be May 16th at 5:00 in Pastor Jon’s office.  Be an active listener. Be alert to the cues that might indicate a person is struggling with depression.  If you know someone who is struggling with a mental illness continue to encourage them by your presence and your words.  Support them in seeking help for their illness.

What we can do: Advocate

Challenge the stigma and stereotypes of mental illness when it comes up in conversations at work or in your community.  Wear a green ribbon during May to draw attention to the needs and challenges faced by those with a mental illness (ribbons will be available in the foyer).  Participate in the 8th annual Mental Health Awareness Run/Walk at Lake Sacajawea on Saturday, May 30th at 9:00 AM.  There is no fee to participate and there will be informational booths on mental health issues.  

We encourage you to take one small step this month to increase your awareness of mental illness/health.  Remember the old Chinese proverb: “it is better to light one candle than curse the darkness.”  Light a candle, in Jesus’ Name, for those struggling with mental illness!

For more information contact Doug and Betty Rae Radke at dbrradke@bmi.net.