Organizers of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Day are especially pleased with this year’s theme because it encourages the community to step up and support people who face behavioral challenges, said Holly Bowyer, planning committee chair at The Center for Counseling & Consultation, the event’s host.
The theme for the special day and throughout May is “Turn Awareness into Action”; May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
The local awareness-day event is set for 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend. In case of inclement weather, it will move to the city auditorium.
“Since we are aligned with the theme conceived by Mental Health America, we want to strongly urge people to get involved,” Bowyer said. “If you know someone who is struggling with conditions such as anxiety, depression, grief or trauma, you can be there for them and provide support.
“For example, you can help them seek local professional guidance. There are many entities in Great Bend and the surrounding area that are available to individuals and families.”
The Center continues to sponsor the annual awareness event because “behavioral health affects everybody,” Bowyer noted. “We can showcase our services and provide this venue for our many community partners. We are so grateful for these partners who take this opportunity to share information about their programs.”
Approximately 20 entities will have booths that feature information not only on mental-health services, but also physical health and youth programs.
The Center will offer free hot dogs, chips and popcorn while supplies last. A bounce house and yard games will be available too.
“Participants often give us positive feedback about this event,” Bowyer commented. “Many people acknowledge that they weren’t aware that their local community offers so many resources.
“This is why we encourage our neighbors to attend. They can learn about all these resources and how to turn knowledge into action. They will discover how they can support mental-health initiatives and advocate for policies that support people who are struggling.”
Co-sponsors of the event are Clara Barton Medical Center and Valley Hope, an addiction treatment center.
The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
