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For immediate release – May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, with several events planned across the county to raise awareness about the importance of mental health issues.
The organization supporting these efforts is Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center, a nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of providing mental health support for more than 75 years. The Mental Wellness Center guarantees access to all her community members and provides free bilingual services in person or remotely. This year, efforts will continue with a variety of local events from Santa Barbara to Buellton to coincide with the national movement.
beginning, MWC Green Ribbon Campaign The May event kicks off with an initiative to encourage local residents and businesses to display green ribbons in their homes and workplaces. The green ribbon is an international symbol of mental health awareness and its proud display shows solidarity. Anne-Marie Cameron, CEO of the Center for Mental Wellness, said: “The Green Ribbon is a visual way to raise awareness of serious mental health issues while bringing the community together.”
Mental wellness centers are also reviving highly successful facilities. “Artful Mind” The art fair will be held on the beachfront across from Chase Palm Park on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual event showcases the talents of approximately 60 local artists living with mental illness in a variety of visual mediums including painting, drawing, jewelry, and sculpture. Many discover their talents for the first time as participants in the Mental Wellness Center’s Fellowship Club. There, fellow educators and arts professionals will help you explore your emotions through self-expression.
“Artful Mind” It also provides an outlet for people with mental health issues to celebrate their creativity in a safe and supportive space. It’s an opportunity to have their talent recognized, not their diagnosis.
A new and expanded interactive banner will debut this year, inviting community members to share their personal reflections on what mental health means to them. This community-wide collaboration banner will be displayed at 617 Garden Street in front of the Mental Wellness Center for the remainder of this month, encouraging more community members to think about the importance of mental health. The City of Santa Barbara Department of the Arts is a partner in this effort.
Three local high schools are also partnering with the Mental Wellness Center to expand the impact of the Green Ribbon campaign and engage a broader, younger audience. In partnership with the Wellness Connection Council – a leadership program during club time that educates and empowers students to be mental health advocates on their high school campuses – this initiative will help communities in Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, Santa – Conducted at each of Barbara’s three high schools.Reflects how the school promotes “May is Mental Health Awareness Month” to their student council.
High school students experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety at alarming rates, making them one of the hardest-hit populations. A recent anonymous survey of club participants at a high school found that almost 80% of those surveyed said that the three mental health challenges they most frequently experience in and out of school are anxiety, depression, and extreme stress. This has been proven to be true. . Rocio Pacheco, WCC Coordinator, explains: “Students are experiencing high levels of stress, so we hope to create a space where they can feel a sense of community and belonging, focus on their own mental health, and address mental health challenges at school. Go to school and try decompressing in different creative ways.” In the study, students were asked whether they were dealing with social media addiction, anxiety brought on by school cliques, eating disorders, or They also said that hearing news of suicide was the thing that caused the most overall stress and depression.
Finally, the 5th Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 18th at the Alma Rosa Winery. “Peace of mind: 10,000 steps in the right direction” Fundraising walk. This approximately 7.5-mile walk, which winds through 628 acres, aims to support mental health community services and fund research into the causes, treatments, and potential treatments for anxiety and depression. , started in 2020 by Almarosa owners Bob and Barb Zorich.
Over the past four years, the winery has raised more than $745,000 for these two organizations. To continue expanding the event’s efforts, the Zorich family will match individual donations of up to $35,000 and corporate sponsorships of up to $25,000 to both One Mind and Mental Wellness Center of Santa Barbara. intend to do something. The walk will be followed by an intimate reception and wine tasting.
“This year, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we have decided to move our annual walk to May. We will also be expanding our winery partners for the post-walk wine tasting,” said General Manager. Debra Eagle said. “We are proud to continue our efforts to support Mental Wellness Center and One Mind, and this year we encourage even more people to join us in supporting the important work of these organizations.” I am thinking of doing so.”
To sign up, donate or start a fundraising campaign for the May 18 walk, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Buellton/PeaceofMind10000StepsintheRightDirection.
For more information about the Mental Wellness Center and the annual Artful Minds event, visit https://mentalwellnesscenter.org.
