Mental health is something everyone should care aboutLiving with mental illness can leave sufferers feeling guilt, confusion and hopelessness as they battle stigma and discriminationfrom those around them. During May, Mental Health Month promotes the sharing of information and understanding about whatit’s really like to live with mental illness in America. Sponsored by the community-based non-profit organization Mental HealthAmerica, this year’s theme is Life with a Mental Illness.

It can be hard to share one’s point of view as a sufferer, even in this day and age, and even as conditions like depression andbipolar disorder are household words. At school or at work, or with family and friends, people dealing with mental illness oftenfeel alone with their feelings and their symptoms. That is why it’s so important for all of us to foster tolerance and get informed.

One way to do this is in your social media posts. During May, Mental HealthAmerica encourages individuals with mental illness to share their pictures,videos and stories on social media with the hashtag #mentalillnessfeelslike.They can also contribute their words and images anonymously, at http://mentalhealthamerica.net/share-your-story.

Expressing what it’s like to live with this kind of illness can free sufferers fromisolation and help others understand the struggles they come up againstevery day. And reading about their experiences helps us all learn to recognizeif we ourselves are showing signs of mental illness.

Visit mentalhealthamerica.net/may to learn more about how to promoteMental Health Month in your community or for more facts about mental illnessand its signs.

Because mentalhealth shouldn’t bekept a secret

Statistics show that 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health condition within theirlifetime. And, our lives may already be impacted by someone we know who faces the realityof living with a mental illness. Organizations across the U.S. are helping to raise awarenessall month long about mental health. We invite you to help us spread the word and beat the

stigma about mental health!

For more information about Mental Health Month, please visitwww.nami.org/Get-Involved/Raise-Awareness/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Month

or www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

www.siouxlandmentalhealth.com | 712-252-3871 or 877-493-2273625 Court Street, Sioux City, IA 51101

May is

MentalHealtHMonth

Crisis Response

Are YouFeeling Suicidal?

Heartland Counseling Services, Inc.917 West 21st Street

South Sioux City, Nebraska 68776(402) 494-3337

1-877-958-7776 or 1-402-494-7655Serving the counties of:

Burt, Dakota, Dixon,Thurston & Wayne

Funded by DHHS and Region 4 Behavioral Health Systems:

Depression • Anxiety / Fear • Stress • GriefDifficulty in Work / School • Social / Peer Relations

Marital / Family Conflicts • Children’s IssuesPsychiatric / Med Management

Approved providers for Medicaid, Medicare, Wellmark,Managed Care and other insurances.

Free On-line Assessments forDepression • Anxiety • Alcohol Use • Eating Disorders

• Bipolar • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

www.plainsareamentalhealth.orgFor Referrals or AppointmentsLe Mars and Orange City

712-546-4624 or 800-325-1192

Cherokee712-225-2575

Storm Lake712-213-8402

Denison712-263-5756

Ida Grove712-364-3500

Carroll712-792-2991