In recognition of Mental Health Month this May, the “
Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project will be active at Sacramento County community events, engaging with attendees and distributing helpful information in an effort to help stop stigma and discrimination, promote mental health and wellness, and inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness.
These local events provide a great opportunity for residents, along with their friends and family, to get involved and help Sacramento County increase awareness during this important time of year.
Get involved and help to stop mental health stigma this May:
- Wednesday, May 22: Mental Health Matters Day
- California State Capitol from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- RSVP for this free event and stop by the project’s booth
- Friday, May 24: Mental Health Matters Night with the Sacramento River Cats!
- Come out to Raley Field on May 24 for Mental Health Matters Night and cheer on the Sacramento River Cats as they take on the Salt Lake Bees!
- The game will take place at Raley Field starting at 7:05 p.m. (Don’t forget to wear lime green for Mental Health Month!)
- Purchase tickets here before they sell out and show your support for the efforts of Each Mind Matters and the Sacramento County “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project to help promote mental health and inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness.
- Throughout the Month of May: Visit our May is Mental Health Art Displays!
- All art displayed was created by individuals and families living with mental illness to help dispel the myths and stereotypes about mental illness.
- Check out our website for the dates and locations of our displays.
Get involved – anytime!
- Show your support for those living with mental illness and pledge to reduce stigma by signing the virtual Wall of Hope on the Project’s website.
- Share your personal story of hope and recovery to help stop stigma and discrimination toward people and families living with mental illness. Telling your story may encourage others to share their experiences and may end the silence that contributes to isolation and shame.
- Join the Stop Stigma Sacramento Speakers Bureau or invite one of our inspirational speakers to share their personal stories of hope and inspiration at an upcoming event.
- Show your support on social media by following the project on Twitter and be sure to "like" the project on Facebook. Join the positive conversation around mental health with the hashtag: #StopStigma.
It is estimated that one in every five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. In Sacramento County alone, more than 300,000 residents live with mental illness. But two-thirds of these individuals do not seek support or treatment because they worry they will lose their jobs, their friends or family, or be isolated because of the stigma and discrimination associated with having a mental illness.
To fundamentally alter negative attitudes and perceptions about mental illness, seven years ago, the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) initiated a multimedia and community outreach project that aims to replace myths and stereotypes with examples of wellness, recovery and hope.
For more information on Sacramento County’s “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project, and to learn more about how to reduce stigma and discrimination in your community, please visit the
Stop Stigma website.
This program is funded by the Division of Behavioral Health Services through the voter-approved Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).