Nearly 355,000 Sacramento County residents live with mental illness, but research shows that only one-third of those individuals will seek help primarily due to the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness.
In celebration of Mental Health Month and the five-year anniversary of its “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project, the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) is hosting several exciting opportunities for you – and residents throughout the county – to help stop stigma and discrimination, promote mental health and wellness, and inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness.
Get involved and help to stop stigma during Mental Health Month:
- View expressive artwork from Sacramento County residents who are living with mental illness, or who support others that may be living with mental illness.
- May 1-31: The Sacramento Poetry Center (1719 25th St., during normal business hours). An open house reception will take place on Second Saturday, May 13.
- May 8-12: The Governor’s Wall at the California State Capitol (1315 10th St., during normal business hours) will display artwork along the outside of the Governor’s office at the State Capitol. Admission is free.
- Take part in our 5-year anniversary Living Well Expo celebration
- May 13: Attend, and encourage your friends and family to attend, the Living Well Expo 2017 at Maple Neighborhood Center (3301 37th Ave., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.). Hosted by the project, this event is free and open to all ages to celebrate health, mental wellness and recovery. Attendees will benefit from free health screenings, living-well information booths, art demonstrations and performances, fitness activities, educational sessions, refreshments and more.
- Join mental health advocates at the State Capitol
- May 24: Gather on the East Steps of the Capitol building (1315 10th St., 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.) for Mental Health Matters Day 2017 and enjoy speakers, entertainment and resource booths! The Each Mind Matters coalition has come together to plan and host this very special day and believes passionately in the power of awareness, action and change to better the lives of people with mental illness.
Anytime in May:
- Show your support for those living with mental illness and pledge to reduce stigma by signing the digital Wall of Hope on the project 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 the compelling speakers to share their personal stories of hope and inspiration at an upcoming event.
- Learn more about reducing stigma and discrimination at StopStimaSacramento.org and show your support on social media by following the project on Twitter @StopStigmaSac and be sure to ‘like’ the project on Facebook and engage in positive mental health messages using the hashtag #StopStigma.
For more information on Sacramento County’s “Mental Illness: It’s not always what you think” project, please visit www.stopstigmasacramento.org.
This program is funded by the Division of Behavioral Health Services through the voter approved Proposition 63, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).