On Tuesday, May 14, Mayor Nicole Brown proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Ypsilanti at a City Council meeting. While May has been Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States since 1949, 2021 marks the first time Ypsilanti has done so. This is the third time Ypsilanti has proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
This month, events to support mental health and reduce stigma are taking place across the city. On May 17, Riverside Park hosted the A Brighter Way festival, which aimed to support formerly incarcerated people and help them get back on their feet. On May 18, Prospect Park hosted the Mental Health Fair, a free event with music, food and guest speakers for Ypsilanti Community School students and their families. The school also had field trips with groups like Embracing Our Differences and Growing Hope, all with the goal of reducing stigma and increasing support within the community.
Council communications director Tom Koch spoke about the declaration and said it was vital to foster kindness everywhere.
“You never know what other people are going through,” Koch said.
Stigma surrounding mental health is seen around the world: A 2021 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 34.6% of adults with a serious mental illness (severe means that it affects or interferes with their life) don’t seek treatment.
While there have been great strides in treating mental illness, such as the availability of evidence-based medications, Koch said it’s still important to continue holding discussions and events to reduce stigma.
“Big breakthroughs are still needed,” Koch said.
Koch also stressed that mental health does not discriminate, regardless of age, race, sex, religion or income.
“We’re all imperfect,” Koch said.
Washtenaw County is fortunate to have a volunteer Shelter House serving the community, which provides confidential, free services to assist homeless, runaway and at-risk youth and their families ages 10 to 20. The Ypsilanti Shelter House is located at 1600 N. Huron River Drive and their crisis helpline number is 734-662-2222.
The Ypsilanti community aims to reduce stigma one step at a time through events, proclamations and resources. If you are in trouble or need support, please call or text 988.
