“Across our state, people are struggling – quietly, persistently, and often alone.”<\/p>\n
Mental Health Association in Delaware<\/a> Executive Director Jennifer Smolowitz Ianni said Tuesday she is aware of that struggle every day – as are providers, community advocates and volunteers.<\/p>\n At the same time, Ianni added that she also sees “resilience, strength and the transformative power of support.”\u00a0<\/p>\n MHA hosted a first-of-its-type gathering Tuesday at Buena Vista near New Castle to commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness Month – but also to spread beyond awareness.<\/p>\n (Appearing in the video: Mental Health in Delaware Executive Director Jennifer Smolowitz Ianni; Delaware Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay)<\/p>\n “Awareness alone doesn’t ensure that someone gets help. Awareness alone doesn’t break stigma. Awareness alone doesn’t build systems strong enough to meet the needs of our community. Action does,” Ianni said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We owe it to each other to build a system that is accessible, that is equitable and that is responsive to the needs of the day,” Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay said. She is chair of the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n MHA was founded in 1932. It continues to offer free community education, including suicide prevention training, and connects people to peer support and resources.<\/p>\n “Being able to ask for help is definitely a sign of strength, and being able to look out for others and recognize other people may need help is an act of love,” Ianni said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We want to make sure that we’re just helping people whenever we see someone in need.”\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0Get WDEL’s top stories sent right to your email.\u00a0\u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0to signup for WDEL’s Afternoon Edition.<\/p>\n