May is officially National Mental Health Month
Light it up with green
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LEWISTOWN -- The next time you find yourself in a room with five or more people, remember that at least one of them could have a mental health consideration.
Statistics by the National Institute of Mental Health reveal that nearly 1 in 5 lives with a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder such as depression; anxiety; mood disorders, including bipolar disorder; personality disorders; psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia; trauma; eating disorders; and substance abuse disorders.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is why the Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk Committee is kicking off the month the Green Light Campaign and awareness events, including the opening of registration for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk at afsp.org/Lewistown.
"This is our third year lighting up the three counties green to raise awareness about mental health, but more importantly, to spark conversations and fight the stigma surrounding mental health," said Lisa Miller, administrative officer for Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services in Lewistown.
There will be a month-long series of events in both Mifflin and Juniata counties. It concludes on Sunday, June 4, with benefit bingo at 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Heritage Fire Co., formerly Brooklyn Fire Co., 218 S. Main St., Lewistown.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with bingo starting at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $30. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, RIP tickets and a food stand. For more information about bingo, call (717) 953-7315.
The three-county community walk will be held in unity at Kish Park in Lewistown on Sunday, Oct. 1.
There have been a series of events in both Mifflin and Juniata counties. In Mifflin County, the schedule at the LUMINA CENTER started things off with Gizmo's Guide to Mental Health program, followed by the Mifflin County School District's Green Day and Chalk about mental health.
On May 9, there was reduced stigma training. On May 23, Harshbarger's Sub n' Malt in McVeytown will host a fundraiser.
In Juniata County, things started off with the Juniata County Early Childhood Family Fun Fair, along with the Juniata County School District's Green Day; and Mifflin-Juniata Regional Center - The Care Network - hosted an Older American Expo at River Church.
Juniata County will have the same fundraiser.
"We actually started in April with both awareness and fundraising ... building up to May," Miller added. "June's bingo will wrap up May for us; however, there are July and August events scheduled as well."
For more information, find the Juniata Valley Walk on Facebook.