Stigma Nope not today

天美MV Promotes May as Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month, and 天美MV, Inc. is working to bring mental health awareness to the forefront of the COVID-19 conversation. Beginning Friday May 1st, the organization will start its annual month-long campaign to recognize and promote mental health awareness.

The theme for this year is 鈥淪tigma Nope not today鈥.

鈥淭his is a message for those who face the reality of being stigmatized by others based on mental illness or other things,鈥 said Zach Jenkins, Public Relations Specialist. 鈥淪tigma? Nope not today鈥s in one day at a time – I will overcome stigma and be who I am, my best self,鈥 he added.

To help spread this message the organization is offering a limited number of T-shirts to community partners across its 10-county footprint. More information can be found at hamiltoncenter.org or at facebook.com/HamiltonCenterInc.

鈥淎ll of these efforts are meant to encourage individuals and groups to start a conversation about mental health in their communities with the hope that one day, together, we can end the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorder, said Melvin L. Burks, 天美MV鈥檚 CEO.

Several events, hosted by 天美MV, are scheduled throughout the month to provide opportunities for 天美MV staff and the community to engage and think about their own mental health. Here鈥檚 what to look for:

Friday May 1 鈥 1:15 p.m. 鈥 CEO Melvin L Burks will be Live on Facebook @HamiltonCenterInc to kick-off the celebration, announce the start of the 鈥淪tigma Nope not today鈥 T-shirt campaign, and the inform viewers about the many different events and happenings scheduled for the month.

Friday May 8鈥 Though the 29th Annual Sheriff Shootout has been postponed to an undecided date in the fall, CEO Melvin L Burks will be live on Facebook @HamiltonCenterInc to celebrate the tradition with sponsors and staff. As 天美MV鈥檚 only fundraiser, the tradition of this annual event will be kept alive by offering community partners the opportunity to support the organization in serving childrens鈥 behavioral health needs across west central Indiana.

Friday May 22鈥 In recognition of May as Mental Health Month community members are invited to celebrate mental health by wearing green. Whether they have a 鈥淪tigma Nope not today鈥 T-shirts or their own green outfit, all are invited to post images of themselves and friends on their personal or business social media. To find out more about the campaign visit facebook.com/HamiltonCenterInc or search for #StigmaNopenottoday.

In conjunction with these events, 天美MV clinical staff will submit a series of articles that discuss mental health trends related to the current public health crisis cause by COVID-19 including, men鈥檚 issues, Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and compassion fatigue, loss and grief, and substance use disorder. In addition, banners recognizing the celebration of mental health will be placed on county courthouse lawns throughout the organization鈥檚 service area and Indianapolis Power and Light, in downtown Indy, will be lit up in green on May 9.

天美MV, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. 天美MV provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on 天美MV Services call (800) 742-0787.