WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Hillary Zwetzig with Mental Health America of South Central Kansas joined KSN News on Tuesday to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month, which is coming up in May.
“The main reason that we like to take a month out to recognize mental health is that it really helps to advocate for mental health, mental health awareness,” she said. “It helps to break down the stigma. It helps to educate all of our community so that not only individually, but as a community, we can function optimally.”
Green is the color associated with mental health, and during May, MHA runs a campaign called Let’s Go Green, encouraging the community to wear green or participate in green‑themed activities.
“Pick a day that your business, all of you wear green, or maybe bring green frosted cookies to work because everybody likes cookies,” Zwetzig said. “Go to Krispy Kreme and get some green frosted donuts, or you can do things like have a green scavenger hunt.”
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Another way to participate is by swapping out regular light bulbs for green ones.
“My whole neighborhood changes their lights to green so that we can light up the street green, and it’s just a way of recognizing how important mental health is and how important it is to us,” Zwetzig said.
To get involved at home, Zwetzig said doing research is a great place to start.
“Basic things you can do: Do some basic research, find out what mental health is, find out what it means, how you can take care of it,” she said.
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MHA also offers businesses presentations on topics ranging from basic mental health to suicide awareness.
“We are trying to normalize those conversations, help people realize that there’s no shame in it,” Zwetzig said.
You can reach out to MHA for help, Zwetzig said. She also encourages people to check in with one another.
“Connect with one another,” Zwetzig said. “Ask the people in your life how they’re doing. Ask the people in your neighborhood how they’re doing.”
To learn more about MHA, visit its website.
Whether it’s for a family member, friend, coworker, or for yourself, there is help out there for anyone looking for mental health care. Click here to find a list.
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