May is Mental Health Awareness Month; BPL has resources to help

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of addressing mental health. Each year, this month educating the public on mental illness, fighting stigma, providing support, advocating for policies that support families impacted by mental illness. 

 In association with the 2022 national theme of “Together for Mental Health,” the City of Birmingham is partnering with Nurture Bham to present Community Mental Health Day in Linn Park on Friday, May 13.

 The event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will feature music, door prizes, yoga, speakers, and mental health experts on the scene. There will also be food trucks on Short 20th Street in front of City Hall. 

 According to the City of Birmingham HR Department, “We want to bring awareness to normalize acknowledging and accessing care for mental health concerns when needed. Put simply, we want you to know it’s okay to not be okay and assistance is available. Partners, including BHS, will be present to discuss resource options available for you and your dependents.” 

The Birmingham Public Library has several resources to help raise awareness about mental health. For details, click here 

Throughout May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is featuring personal stories from people experiencing mental health conditions. By hearing live experiences, the goal is “to encourage people to prioritize their mental health and increase awareness about mental illness,” NAMI says. Share your story and tell us what the message of "Together for Mental Health" means to you!

If you want to learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month, click here and check out these statistics from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.