Nevada County Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation this month making May Mental Health Awareness Month in Nevada County and highlighting the importance of promoting mental health through prevention, education and support for key services.

“Each year during Mental Health Awareness Month we want to remind our friends and neighbors how important it is to take care of our mental health!” said Nevada County Behavioral Health Director Phebe Bell. “Support your resilience through healthy eating, exercise, enough sleep and connections with friends and loved ones. But also know that we all have rough patches in life, and it is OK to reach out for help when you are struggling. Resources and supports are here for you!”

During the month of May, Nevada County Behavioral Health and Public Health held a number of outreach events and trainings, including health fairs at local schools and Know the Signs suicide prevention trainings. On Monday, May 5, Public Health partnered with the Grass Valley Library on a suicide prevention and mental health training for library patrons in partnership with the library’s Adulting series. Outreach events and trainings will continue into June with mental health resources and information available at the Nevada County Health & Safety Fair on June 7 and the Pride Family Picnic on June 8.

“In rural areas like Nevada County, mental health care and support are not always as easy to access, but they are just as essential as anywhere else,” said Nevada County Health Officer Dr. Sherilynn Cooke. “That’s why we’re committed to ensuring every resident—whether in town or out in the far reaches of the county—has the resources they need. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about these resources, making sure people know where to turn when they or someone they care about needs support.”

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Nevada County Behavioral Health and Public Health remind residents that mental health resources are available all year.

In May of last year, Nevada County Behavioral Health and Public Health launched the Mental Health Matters Nevada County campaign to increase the public’s awareness, understanding, and access to mental health and suicide prevention resources. The central feature of the campaign is a website, www.MentalHealthMattersNC.com, where residents can go to learn about important mental health and suicide prevention resources.

Since launching on May 1 of last year, the site has had 70,193 unique site visitors and 162,300 total site visits.

“We are excited about the response to the Mental Health Matters Nevada County campaign and website,” said Corinne Amezcua, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Nevada County Public Health. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the mental health support they need—whether it is for themselves, a loved one or just to be more aware of how they can support mental health for their neighbors.”

Residents can learn more about mental health resources in Nevada County by visiting www.MentalHealthMattersNC.com, including information, outreach materials, and resources about mental health and suicide prevention.