Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, Wagner joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is sponsored locally by Strengthening Our Community.

Mental Health Month was established in 1949 by to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives. Here is how you can get involved.

• May 7: Wear a green shirt

• May 11 at 6:00-7:00: Ending the Silence virtual workshop for parents to learn more about warning signs and how to talk to your child and school staff about mental health. Register at https://us02web.zoom. us/meeting/register/tZUtceypqDMvE9AQ_86zcpnlv9pQipDEQY7G

• May 13: Wear SOC Suicide Prevention Socks or any silly socks you might have

• May 14: Pick up a green ribbon or sticker at one of the local businesses to wear.

• Follow @SOCWagner on Facebook for the Wellness Challenge and to see how our partners are raising awareness.

• Wellness Week May 17-21:

o Mindful Monday: Pause throughout the day to notice things that bring you joy, send kind thoughts, tune into your senses or focus on your breath.

o Take Time to Recharge Tuesday: Time for self-care. Do you what you need to do to show self-compassion.

o Ask for Help Wednesday: Program into our phone, post, are share the Suicide Prevention Hotline number 1-800-273-8255.

o Thoughtful Thursday: Say or do something kind or thoughtful for someone else.

o Forgiveness Friday: Forgive yourself or others.

• Celebrate SOC Day on May 13 by wearing SOC suicide prevention socks or any silly socks you might have

• Check out the SOC Facebook Daily Wellness Challenge (@SOCWagner) with prizes awarded at the end of the month.

Together we can fight stigma, support one another, learn about mental illness and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.