CEDAR RAPIDS– Helping young people and families achieve wellness and overcome life’s stressors, is a focus of Tanager Place every day. The month of May in particular has a special meaning for this effort since it is nationally recognized as mental health month. A month centered on reducing stigma, advocacy and inclusion.
During the month of May, Tanager Place offers several learning opportunities available free of charge to the community through trainings, podcasts and videos geared toward building skills to recognize and address mental health wellness of our youth. Additionally, Tanager is raising awareness through social media and the sale of a “Be Kind to Your Mind” T-shirt will help draw more attention to the efforts for the month.
“Statistics have shown us that we all have challenges throughout our lives. Some challenges we overcome on our own, and some need the support of others. Getting that support and help is a strength. We have to work together as a community to reduce stigma and provide greater access for those who may need additional support,” commented Tanager Place CEO Okpara Rice. “With the stressors resulting from the pandemic and the Derecho locally, there is no better time to raise awareness for our mission and the greater need for access, understanding and support on our overall wellness.”
Jennifer Null, Learning and Development Manager and Therapist for the Meraki Institute of Learning at Tanager Place invites everyone to engage with the events of the month in any way possible, “We all benefit by learning more about what mental health struggles are most commonly faced by our friends and family members. When we learn how to recognize and support others who are facing challenges, we can at the same time help to normalize what in the past may not have been easily understood or accepted. In essence it also helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses and treatment.”
Join Tanager Place and the Meraki Institute of Learning on May 7 for Youth Mental Health First Aid, May 12, for a virtual Resiliency and Trauma Informed Care Symposium, or on May 21 for Processing Trauma through Play Therapy. To learn more visit www.tanagerplace.org/events-calendar/, follow Tanager Place on social media or support the t-shirt sales at https://onemission.fund/support/tanager-place/?shopfor=240589.