NewsLocal News

Actions

Mental health fair fights stigma, shares community resources

Posted at 9:24 AM, Apr 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-22 09:24:53-04

A Jackson County mental health fair was held Saturday, raising awareness and sharing resources throughout the county.

The health fair was held at the American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds located at 200 West Ganson Street.

The goal of the event is to help families learn how to manage stress and take care of their family’s mental health.

Different challenges taught one of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness developed by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) including Emotional, Physical, Environmental, Intellectual, Financial, Occupational, Spiritual and Social.

This event helps to raise awareness of mental health in our community, fight stigma and share community resources.

"There is a big sigma around mental health and we want people to feel safe enough to ask for help and to reach out,” said Rebecca Calkins, Public Relations Coordinator at Lifeways Community Mental Health. “Those that are in a suicidal crisis, we have the national hotline as well like the local lifeways number to reach out if you’re struggling, there is hope and there is help out there."

After completing the different challenges, families received gifts and were entered for door prizes.