Tri-County Health Network (TCHN) is making it easier to go green this Mental Health Awareness Month with its “Light Up for May” and “Be Seen in Green” challenges.
“Mountain towns generally have more mental health issues than other places,” said Ariana Cytos, TCHN’s behavioral health coordinator. She said: “We are trying to do a lot of prevention work.”
This month, the color of the work is green.
According to TCHN’s May press release, “Green, the official color of Mental Health Awareness, symbolizes renewal, hope, and vitality.”
Each May, TCHN celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month in partnership with communities around the world by offering a variety of events and resources in San Miguel, Montrose, and Ouray Counties.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is extremely important,” according to a press release. “[I]It serves as a beacon of awareness and advocacy for the millions of people affected by mental health conditions each year. … [T]His annual event has grown to reach millions of people through a variety of initiatives including media campaigns, events, resources, and screenings. ”
Using the color green to raise awareness is something new for TCHN this year, Sait explained.
“This is a national effort, but it’s the first time we’ve done it here. Quite a few communities, including Crested Butte, have adopted ‘Light Up for May,’ and we wanted to get in on the bandwagon.” ” she said.
Last week, TCHN staff distributed green light bulbs to Telluride businesses, organizations and government agencies.
“By lighting up their buildings in green, businesses become visible allies in the fight to destigmatize and promote understanding of mental health,” according to a press release from TCHN.
TCHN is inviting individuals to show their support for mental health initiatives by participating in an event called “Be Seen Wearing Green” throughout the day on May 16th.
TCHN is offering a number of classes and events this month, starting with a Harm Reduction Community Conversation Night held last week at the Wilkinson Public Library. Community conversations are held monthly. Each month, presenters switch between bilingual and Spanish conversations.
Upcoming events include two online classes. New Questions, Persuasion, and Introduction training will be on Wednesday, May 15, from noon to 1 p.m., and the Adult Mental Health First Aid class will be on Wednesday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Individuals may drop off unused or expired medications to the Telluride Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the May Art Walk in Telluride on May 24 from 5 to 8 p.m., participating galleries will provide information about mental health in the community.
Another new service, Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMET™) Training, will be held at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center on Wednesday, May 29th from 5-7 p.m. Dinner will be served.
COMET™ en espaňol, Cambiar nuestra tradeectoria mental y emocional, está Programado para Miércoles, May 29, 5-7pm, Wilkinson Public Library. Se proporcionará la cena.
TCHNetwork provides ongoing support and resources throughout the year. One of the programs Sites features is the San Miguel Behavioral Health Foundation. The fund pays for teletherapy for adults and covers in-person and teletherapy for youth.
This fund is the result of TCHN’s efforts to pass a $0.75 million property tax increase (Ballot Measure 1A) in 2018 to fund community-based behavioral health services in San Miguel County.
Mental health is a daily habit, and to help you in your efforts, TCHN also offers a May calendar with daily activities. Today’s topic is “Listen to music to match your mood or to improve your mood.”
To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month and access the calendar, visit https://bit.ly/mham-2024. His website for TCHN is tchnetwork.org.
