Above: Upward Bound 5th Street Express brings mental health awareness to everyone. Located right next to Fairmont’s Downtown Plaza.
FAIRMONT – May is widely known as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Founded in 1949, this tradition recognizes and raises awareness of people suffering from mental illness everywhere, and raises awareness of the importance of mental health and recovery, attributes important to a person’s overall health. Increase.
Upward Bound 5th Street Express, located at 104 E. 5th Street in Fairmont, is a drop-in mental health center coordinated by Darek Olson. The club’s main focus is to support adults with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) such as anxiety and depression, but it also supports those facing disabilities and those looking for a place to belong. We warmly welcome you. The clubhouse he founded in 1997 and to date he has served over 300 visitors. Currently, as the coordinator mentioned, he has over 90 members in the clubhouse. Upward Bound 5th Street Express provides a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for new members, where they are welcome to participate in a variety of activities, relationship building, socializing, and recovery information gathering.
“There is no judgment or mental health stigma here, and members feel safe visiting with others who are enduring similar challenges.” Olson added that the center is providing resources and materials to keep visitors safe and well.
The drop-in center offers activities such as crafts, games, bingo, movies, sweet treats, and food. The center’s after-hours activities include pontoon rides, shopping trips, craft shows, visits to state fairs, and visits to mental health centers in neighboring counties. Clubhouse sparks a message of mental health recovery within the community through public engagement and a variety of events. Upward Bound 5th Street Express frequently participates in his IHD parades, where club members can step out of their comfort zone, walk along the van, and hand out informational pamphlets to eager spectators. In partnership with Faribault and Martin County Human Services, the center encourages clients to move in their direction.
“Upward Bound 5th Street Express helps consumers develop their social lives, improve their leisure skills, overcome loneliness and isolation, and find relief from stress in a cost-effective environment. It provides an atmosphere of belonging and acceptance in a very comfortable way.” Olson said.
Upward Bound 5th Street Express hosts monthly board team meetings led by elected members. For visitors without a car, the up 5th Street Express provides local transportation and bus tokens to activity participants. The center aims to remove the barrier of difficult transportation.
Member-led board meetings are held monthly, as well as other meetings throughout the year. Olson pointed out: “This will allow many members to take a more active leadership role in planning activities and clubhouse concerns.”
The building itself will undergo new changes as the season progresses. “This summer, we will be undergoing renovations within the drop-in center, which will bring about a major transformation.” Mr. Olson said: “Thanks to recent grants from the state, the Schmeikl Foundation, and the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation, we plan to make significant updates to our space, so this is a very exciting time to be a member.”
For more information about the Upward Bound 5th Street Express Mental Health Clubhouse, contact our coordinator at 507-238-9021 (Drop-In Center Main Line) or visit 5thstreetexpress.sccbi.info for membership, hours, and programs. please. provided by the center.
“We are always excited to welcome new members. Mental health is a lifelong balance for everyone, and our membership base continues to grow to reduce the stigma of mental illness. .” Olson concluded:
988 LifeLine is available 24/7 by phone and chat, providing non-judgmental and confidential support for people with mental health-related concerns.
