MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there\u2019s no shortage of local efforts aiming to fight the stigma that mental health issues can often bring.<\/p>\n
May 16 will see a community get-together focusing on mental health awareness in Sibley Park.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s being organized in part by Mending Roots Therapy, a local mental health clinic.<\/p>\n
Food and games are planned for the event, but there will also be a presence of local mental health professionals who hope to open the door for anyone who might need support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be this mysterious or intimidating thing and that\u2019s why having all of these agencies here you can meet the therapists that are in the community and ask them all the questions you have while doing some of these more fun kind of crafty things that we have planned too,\u201d said Taylor Wester with Mending Roots.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Journey Toward Healing Counseling Center is sponsoring an art competition meant to raise awareness for mental health.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s meant to connect people with the therapeutic qualities of creating art, and leaders of the effort said that they hope people who participate in the event continue to express themselves even after the competition is over.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can tell your story in a way that\u2019s different from verbal. It reaches a non-verbal component, it fosters expression. It lets you tell your story in a different way,\u201d said Journey Toward Healing\u2019s Laura Pierson.<\/p>\n
The deadline to submit pieces to the competition is May 23.<\/p>\n