Supervisors Proclaim May 2014 Mental Health Awareness Month

The Board of Supervisors today designated May 2014 as Mental Health Month in Tulare County to kick off an array of activities planned throughout the month.

 

“We know that mental health is integral to overall health,” said Phil Cox, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “People need to care for their mental health so they can respond to the stress of daily life and the challenges it presents.”

 

Tulare County Mental Health Board Chair Irma Rangel said education and awareness events are key components to reducing mental health issues.

 

"Just as community members have learned there are things they can do to reduce their risk of heart disease and chronic illnesses, we want to help people learn what they can do to protect their mental health in tough times and improve their mental well-being throughout their lives,” Rangel said.

 

Maintaining mental health involves a balanced diet, regular exercise and sleep patterns, developing a sense of self-worth and coping skills that promote resiliency, emotional awareness, and connections to family, friends, and the community. For some residents, moving toward wellness also involves the assistance of medical staff and counselors.

 

"Utilizing strategies to promote resiliency, with the goal of recovery from one's mental health condition while also decreasing reliance on alcohol and other illicit drugs, leads to improved general health and a healthier community,” said Dr. Timothy Durick, Director of Mental Health for Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency

 

Here are some of the events during Mental Health Awareness Month:

 

- May 2: Expressions of Lived Experience Art Show and Art Walk in Visalia from 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Mental health consumers with “No Stigma Speakers Bureau,” share their stories at 4:30 p.m., and the art reception/walk begins at 5:30 p.m.

 

- May 3: Porterville Cinco de Mayo Parade, beginning at 10 a.m., features a float by the Porterville Adult Mental Health Clinic, Youth Services, South County One Stop Center, South County Mobile Unit, and the Crossroads Transitional Age Youth Housing program.

 

- May 9: 2nd Annual Family Resource Center (FRC) Children’s Art Show and Open House hosted in Spanish for families and the community from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Woodlake (168 N. Valencia, Woodlake), Cutler-Orosi (40802 Rd. 128, Orosi), Earlimart (114 N. Front St.), and Lindsay (400 E. Hermosa St., Lindsay) FRCs. Open houses will display children’s artwork, host games, and information booths.

 

- May 30: Rawhide Baseball Game at 7 p.m. Through a partnership with the Visalia Rawhide, Mental Health Awareness will be highlighted for the third year at the ballpark.

 

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/TulareCountyHHSA, www.twitter.com/ and www.tchhsa.org