CALL TO ACTION: A COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO EMBRACE THE NEED
Posted by Sharon Maybee (Commerce City) semaybee@aol.com
“You are not alone – I will listen – Let’s talk”
In January 2015, the Commerce City Rotary Club embarked on a mental health awareness initiative based on the premise that Rotary should take the lead and address mental wellness in our communities.
A crucial component and cornerstone of the initiative continues to be a strong community education and awareness program collaborating with the County’s Behavioral Health organization, Community Reach Center. Education and increased awareness does indeed work to decrease stigmatizing attitudes regarding mental illness. Evidence based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training continues to be the best way to educate community members and increase their awareness regarding mental illness and mental wellness.
The Power of our Youth
The Adams City High School Interact Club has made mental health education and awareness their highest priority for the 2015-2016 school year with stigma reduction being an essential component coupled with education and awareness efforts. The membership of the Interact Club grew from 20 to 35 members during the current school year largely due to the focus on mental health as well as a modified version of MHFA training that was offered to the students by the Community Reach Center. Lastly, the Interactors are working feverishly to complete an education and awareness video around the theme of “You are not alone – I will listen – Let’s talk” that will be featured at an upcoming District 5450 event.
Technology: Increasing Awareness in a Modern Way
Utilizing a Rotary District Matching Grant combined with funds from the Commerce City Rotary Foundation, the Commerce City Rotary Club has developed and implemented a comprehensive Awareness Plan for the community. This Plan utilizes several different media including a community-focused website launched on January 1, 2016 (www.ccrc-mhi.org) which displays available resources and training opportunities and is optimized to be accessible on both a computer and smartphone device. A social media presence has been established with both a Facebook page and Twitter feed.
In addition the club is developing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) as well as various print materials. The materials will be replicable in both English and Spanish.
Taking the Initiative “On the Road”
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Members of the Commerce City Rotary Club mental health initiative task force have visited 28 clubs in District 5450 (1 club in District 5440) to share how to go about establishing a mental health initiative or project and recently completed a survey with these clubs to assess just how Rotary is addressing mental wellness in our communities. Some highlights from the survey revealed that: 67% of the clubs indicated that they have an interest in becoming involved in a mental health project and 45% of the clubs indicated that they would be interested in partnering with another club or clubs on a mental health project. The ideas that the Rotary clubs have identified to make a mental health project there own and relevant to their respective communities has been creative and refreshing and nothing short of amazing. |
It is clear from the work that we have completed in the Commerce City community and with the visits to 29 Rotary clubs that WE, as Rotarians, CAN make a marked difference in our respective communities with regard to mental health. Educate yourself and others about mental health; know the facts. Help for those in need is just a phone call away. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Colorado Crisis Support Line at 1-844-493-TALK to speak with a mental health professional.
For more information about the Commerce City Rotary Club Mental Health initiative, contact Sharon Maybee at semaybee@aol.com.