Since 1949, Mental Health America, their affiliates, and countless others have observed May as Mental Health Month by reaching out to millions of people to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. It’s a time to share information, stories, and resources, and we invite you to join us! MHA’s 2023 Mental Health Month campaign is focused on how surroundings impact mental health, and we are calling for individuals to look around, look within. This includes: Safe and Stable Housing, Healthy Home Environments, Neighborhoods and Towns, The Outdoors and Nature.
We’ll help people understand how these topics impact mental health, provide tips for actions people can take to change their surroundings in favor of their well-being, and suggestions for how to cope if change isn’t realistic.
The Ely Community Mental Health Awareness Month Planning Committee has partnered with KJ's Hardware at 303 E. Sheridan St. in Ely to Light Up the Night Green in Ely for Mental Health Awareness! Beginning Tuesday, April 25th, community members and businesses alike can go into KJ's, purchase a green bulb and have made a $2 contribution to Ely's Community Wellness Fund through the Community Care Team.
By Lighting up the Night Green May 1st-May 31st, you are acknowledging the Mental Health IS Health and that this is a community that supports each other.
The Community Wellness Fund is the name of 3 specific pockets of funding available to community members in need, created by The Community Care Team (CCT). The CCT provides collaborative care and support to help you achieve your wellness goals with the vision that adequate resources are available to citizens when needed to help them with their physical health, mental health and psychosocial challenges. Professionals in health, education, and public service are trained in recognizing when someone is confronted with such challenges and are prepared to provide an appropriate rsponse in giving assistance. Patients and their supporters have the tools and resources to help them be a partner in meeting their wellness, treatment and recovery goals.
Examples of the Wellness Fund in action:
More Details on the Community Care Team & How to Access the Community Wellness Fund: http://www.elycct.org/ or Contact a Care Facilitator at 218-365-7929.
Local Community Trainers
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Ryan Stewart, Ely Community Resource
Casey Mickelson, St. Louis County
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Emily Ferguson, Ely Behavioral Health Network
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.
The training gives you the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. More than 2.6 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by a dedicated base of more than 15,000 Instructors.
What It Covers
By scheduling training for your group during the month of May to occur within 12 months, your registration and materials will be FREE.
Does your group work with mostly Adults (18+) or Youth?
Examples of who makes a great group:
To Register your organization or group or get more information, email Lori Linkous: