Dear friends and supporters,
May is Mental Health Awareness month, and we hope you’ll Get Your Green On alongside the Center and other mental health organizations in the community on Thursday, May 16th. The Get Your Green On campaign’s goal is to raise mental health awareness by creating visible support for talking openly about mental health and trauma.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition in a given year. These conditions can range from anxiety and depression to more severe diagnoses. Despite their prevalence, mental health struggles are often shrouded in shame and silence. We want to break down these barriers and create open conversations about mental health, to advocate for a world where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, and also remind us all to support each other’s mental health.
This Sunday, May 12, is Mother’s Day, so this is also a good time to mention that this is also Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. The stigma surrounding mental health is pervasive, but for mothers, the pressure to appear strong and “have it all together” can be especially isolating. This silence prevents mothers from seeking the help they deserve, impacting not only their own well-being but also the well-being of their children and families.
Here at the Center, we understand the unique challenges mothers face. The emotional journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood can be exhilarating, overwhelming, and everything in between. It’s no surprise then, that one in five mothers experiences a mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or postpartum depression (PPD).
That’s why we provide a range of mental health services, many of them free (thanks to the Children’s Services Council of PBC) or low cost, to mothers-to-be, new parents, and families.
Please use this month as an opportunity to renew your commitment to mental health and well-being, and to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children and families.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Todd L’Herrou, CEO
tlherrou@ctrfam.org
Florida Abuse Reporting:
https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline/how-report-abuse
National Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting information:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/
Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/signs.pdf
Center for Family Services has been providing mental health services and education to children, adults and families since 1961. Our clients are some of the most vulnerable in the community due to their age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Donations are a crucial means to their mental well-being. On their behalf, thank you for your support.