The City of Maricopa’s 2nd annual Mental Health Awareness event is to be held on Saturday, May 14. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Copper Sky on the Great Lawn. The awareness event is in honor of individuals and families coping with mental illness. There will be a panel discussion, refreshments, an art display and informational booths with various types of social services for the public followed by a balloon release. Those wearing green will be entered into a special raffle.

City of Maricopa, Arizona Counseling and Treatment Services (ACTS), Sun Life, VFW, Be Awesome Coalition and LaFrontera-Empact have partnered to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month throughout the month of May. The 2016 theme is “Life with a Mental Illness.” 

Fitting in with the theme, the campaign encourages the public to share what life with a mental illness feels like by tagging your social media posts with #mentalillnessfeelslike. Posting with this hashtag is a way to speak up, to share your point of view with people who may be struggling to explain what they are going through—and help others figure out if they too are showing signs of a mental illness. Sharing is the key to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and to showing others that they are not alone in their feelings and their symptoms.

Mental illnesses are common and treatable, and help is available. We need to speak up early, in real, relatable terms so that people do not feel isolated and alone. “Life with a Mental Illness” is meant to help remove the shame and stigma of speaking out, so that more people can be comfortable coming out of the shadows and seeking the help they need.

For more information, please visit City of Maricopa