Mental health awareness is highlighted in May

SIKESTON — With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Bootheel Behavioral Health is emphasizing the importance of mental health and awareness.

Jennifer Hartlein, director of fund development and public relations at Bootheel Behavioral Health in Sikeston, said this month that one of Bootheel’s efforts to raise mental health awareness has been to educate children on the subject.

“I recently went and read a book about feelings at the Keller Public Library in Dexter,” said Hartlein. “We’ve also had speaking engagements and were recently at Charleston schools as well as part of their solar day activities.”

Hartlein said Bootheel is constantly planning community activities throughout the year, but especially in May, there are several things they do to be out in the community.

“Another big aspect of what we do during Mental Health Awareness Month is we provide tips on social media,” Hartlein said. “A lot of information will go out on our Facebook page during the month of May.” 

Hartlein advised others to check Bootheel Behavioral Health’s Facebook page and website for tips. 

“One of the big things we do in May is a consumer appreciation day, which is May 22,” Hartlein said. “It’s something we have put on for several years now and it’s just a way of having fun activities and is also a way to give out information about our agency as well.”

Hartlein said the consumer appreciation day will be primarily for their customers, but anyone is welcome to attend. Hartlein said that they will conduct health screenings, have members of their crisis teams present and will have mental health-related games and activities. 

Hartlein said Bootheel Behavioral Health recently held a mental health first aid class in collaboration with the University of Missouri Extension, and everyone should keep an eye on social media because they will also be offering mental health training during Mental Health Awareness Month.

“We will be talking on social media as an agency on what we have to offer that people may not realize,” Hartlein said. “Anyone who is a part of a group or organization that would like some training in mental health, we offer that as well.”

According to Hartlein, Mental Health Awareness Month is important and it is vital to raise awareness. 

Hartlein noted mental health issues affect everyone at some point in their lives. 

“There are days when we all may have feelings of anxiety or possibly depression, grief or just things of that nature,” Hartlein said. “So mental health is something that affects us all, but affects us at different levels. It’s important for each of us to learn what coping skills work best for us.

She continued: “So with Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s just a great time to remind ourselves what those coping skills are, how important mental health is and how we need to take care of our mental health just as we need to take care of our physical health.”

To learn more about mental health awareness, contact Bootheel Behavioral Health at 573-471-0800.