Healthy relationships: Make May a month of community and compassion
As I write this month’s column, I must be honest. I’m feeling tired both physically and even emotionally. Life has been incredibly busy lately and like many people, I often feel pulled in various directions, which frankly can be exhausting. I’ve been working hard to carve out time for myself and to name my feelings — something that isn’t always easy. It is very OK to say I’m tired, or sad, happy, or excited. No matter the feeling, I have found naming the feeling and leaning into it is what helps me be calm and persevere.
Want to know what has been helping me, too? Our community. As my fingers fly across the keys, we are less than 24 hours out of Centre Gives, an amazing annual fundraiser created by Centre Foundation in 2012 to garner support for our local nonprofit organizations and to raise awareness of the incredible work they do. Since its inception, more than $16.9 million has been invested into our community through Centre Gives. The 2023 campaign resulted in a total community impact of more than $2.3 million. Thanks to your amazing support, Centre Safe was able to raise more than $45,000. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Your support through Centre Gives has benefited more than 200 local nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts, animals, education, environment, and health and social services.
As we enjoy the sunny spring weather and prepare for summer, we must remember those who are navigating traumatic situations like sexual assault, dating/domestic violence/and/or stalking. There’s also food insecurity, housing displacement, and more. Let’s each pledge to do at least one thing today to help another human being. Could you share resources? How about just listen to a person share their story? Sometimes the best thing we can do is hear someone share their experiences and ask them what you could do in that moment to be most helpful.
May serves as national Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every year during the month of May, people join the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.
This year people are celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the More Than Enough campaign. It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold — no matter the diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background or ability. We want every person out there to know that if all you did was wake up today, that’s more than enough. No matter what, you are inherently worthy of more than enough life, love, and healing. Showing up, just as you are, for yourself and the people around you is more than enough.
Locally we have an amazing organization — the Jana Marie Foundation — that works hard to help people have healthy connections around mental health and wellness and help people build positive support networks. The foundation envisions communities working together to knock down walls and transform emotional distress into resilience and hope. Through the power of dialogue and creative expression, the foundation sparks conversations, builds connections, and promotes mental well-being among young people and their communities. You can learn more, including about important training the foundation offers, at janamariefoundation.org.
Please know that whenever you need support, there are people ready to help you. For those navigating experiences of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, Centre Safe advocates are ready to help you 24/7 at 877-234-5050. You can also learn more at centresafe.org.