Inexperienced lights shine outdoors Thrivent Monetary in downtown Hollidaysburg in recognition of Psychological Well being Consciousness month. Holly Claycomb mirror picture
Passers-by in Hollidaysburg this month might have seen plenty of inexperienced, from the arches on parking meters to the lights on the courthouse and different buildings, as companies, organizations and a few residents work collectively to shine a lightweight on psychological well being. .
“Mainly, it is Lighting the Means for Psychological Well being as a result of Might is Psychological Well being Consciousness month,” mentioned Melanie Ramsey, director of group relations and occasions for Hollidaysburg.
Ramsey mentioned that a easy gesture can assist unfold the phrase about psychological sickness.
“Put a inexperienced mild in entrance of your home, enterprise, faculty and hold it on all month”, she mentioned.
The concept for the marketing campaign grew out of the Blair County System of Care grant and its partnership with different System of Care grantee counties, particularly York County, mentioned Lorie Craine, director of scientific providers for Blair HealthChoices.
The Might Psychological Well being committee devised the marketing campaign to begin a dialog, she mentioned, noting that the committee consists of herself, together with Lindsey Wagner, additionally of Blair HealthChoices, and Cindy James, coordinator of the kids’s social providers program. and youths from Blair County.
“The aim actually is to lift consciousness of psychological well being in hopes of lowering stigma by rising the dialog about psychological well being.” Crane mentioned. “Hopefully that can result in some systemic change.”
To kick off the marketing campaign, Craine first requested the Hollidaysburg Metropolis Council for permission to put inexperienced ribbons on downtown parking meters.
Hollidaysburg Mayor Joe Dodson was completely on board with the concept, noting that it is nice any time somebody can do one thing for individuals combating psychological well being points.
“It is incredible to see the variety of individuals concerned within the metropolis and the businesses which have come collectively and a few of the homes,” he mentioned. “I’m happy with our county for doing this.”
Specializing in Allegheny Avenue, Craine canvassed companies and organizations and requested in the event that they needed to take part within the occasion. She offered the lights for anybody who determined to take part.
About 50 corporations and organizations determined to take part, Craine mentioned.
Diana McClure, director of enterprise improvement for Keller Engineers, mentioned Joe Keller, the proprietor, was actually excited in regards to the involvement.
“That is the primary 12 months that it has been completed and we’re honored to be a part of the inaugural marketing campaign,” McClure mentioned. “We really feel that it is a crucial trigger and we’re completely satisfied to have the ability to be part of it.”
For Cathy Griffith, president of the Griffith Household Basis and Sideline Most cancers, the choice to work with Blair County HealthChoices was a straightforward one.
“We love partnering with different organizations to make the world a greater place,” Griffith mentioned. “I feel everyone seems to be struggling proper now so I believed it was an awesome concept on their half to lift consciousness of psychological well being. We have been delighted to take part.”
Nevertheless, not all collaborating corporations and organizations have been in Hollidaysburg. Psychological well being service suppliers all through Blair County, church buildings, and the Altoona and Logan Township Police Departments additionally take part.
Altoona Curve bought concerned by internet hosting a particular Psychological Well being Consciousness Evening on Saturday. Offered by the Blair County Suicide Prevention Process Power, the American Basis for Suicide Prevention and the Blair County System of Care, the Curve took to the sphere towards the Richmond Flying Squirrels and followers have been inspired to followers to put on inexperienced, Ramsey mentioned.
Gamers wore jerseys personalised with the names of about 42 Blair County individuals who killed themselves, James mentioned. The shirts have been then auctioned off with the proceeds going to the American Basis for Suicide Prevention and the Blair County Suicide Prevention Process Power.
James mentioned the committee hopes to develop the marketing campaign annually.
“We’ll attempt to proceed with Hollidaysburg and add Altoona and possibly 10 years from now we’ll have all of Blair County concerned.” James mentioned.
In line with the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness, 1 in 5 adults within the nation experiences a psychological sickness annually and 1 in 6 youth ages 6 to 17 expertise a psychological well being dysfunction annually. Suicide is the second main explanation for demise amongst individuals ages 10 to 34, the alliance mentioned.
These statistics are alarming, organizers mentioned.
“That is one thing we’re shining a lightweight on; not simply suicide, however everybody and their well-being,” Ramsay mentioned. “It is necessary that folks know that they aren’t alone and that they know that they deserve assist as somebody with a bodily sickness.”
Mirror workers author Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.
