May Was Mental Health Awareness Month

Dear Editor,

Eastern Montana Mental Health Center (EMMHC) would like to highlight community organizations that help make a difference.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought [it] would be a great time to acknowledge those who have made a difference in the lives of people dealing with a behavioral health issue. Caring Hands, Inc. (formerly Soroptimist of Glasgow) made a donation of $5,000 to Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center with a goal of instilling hope and providing light to our vulnerable community members. These funds assisted people with minor home repairs, rental assistance, transportation assistance such as Valley County Transit bus passes, gas cards and flight fees, as well as utility bills, clothing, laundry expenses and other personal necessities. As well as help fund a Dress for Success program which was geared toward employment training and readiness. We had someone who works in the human resource field provide helpful hints with interviewing techniques, resume writing, completing employment applications, as well as proper dress and personal care. We also were able to purchase proper clothing, hair and nail care products, as well as have a cosmetologist discuss proper hair care and provide haircuts and styles to our group. Additionally, we were able to purchase Christmas gifts for those who typically don't receive a gift. The funds donated are spent locally to also assist our economy.

Community-minded organizations have made a big impact for consumers in our area. Without their continued support, many of our consumer's basic needs would not be met, and would hinder their ability to make positive changes in their lives. The Mission Statatement for Caring Hands, Inc. is "to help support the health, well-being and/or healing of members of our community through the humanity of Project Smile. Our goal is to put a smile on faces of members of our community and instill hope for the future by helping to cover unexpected costs that are associated with basic human needs."

Walleyes Unlimited and Hi-Line Sportsmen Club have also come forward to put smiles on faces of our consumers by providing new fishing poles and reels, tackle boxes full of tackle as well as a few Huk hats so that individuals can enjoy an outing which we all know can be therapeutic in many ways with sunshine and relaxation.

Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center is very appreciative of all the assistance our community provides.

Valley CARE Coalition mission is to facilitate positive changes that reduce stigma and raise awareness around behavioral health; and to connect with Valley County resources to achieve wellness to our community members. Local businesses and community organizations such as United Insurance & Reality, Knights of Columbus and the Abbey Aum Foundation, have donated to the Coalition so that we are able to bring trainings to our community such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Mental Health First Aid Training, as well as assist us with activities, such as the Mental Health Awareness Walk & BBQ, movie nights, swimming nights, etc...to help bring behavioral health to the forefront and reduce the stigma associated with treatment of mental health and substance abuse issues.

Sincerely,

Mary Hughes

Co-chair of the Valley County CARE Coalition and office manager of EMMHC