Mental Health Awareness Month

Will you help shine a light during Mental Health Awareness Month?

About the 2023 MHAM Theme: Shine a Light on Mental Health

Isolated. Hopeless. Surrounded by darkness.

Oftentimes clients in our mental illness recovery programs share this is how they felt before finding Peace River Center. Thankfully there is a way to shine a light into the darkness of mental health challenges, untreated mental illness, and stigma. During Mental Health Awareness Month, you can be that light!

Awareness and Education

Mental Health Awareness Month is an excellent time to increase your awareness and understanding of mental health challenges, mental illness diagnosis, stigma and how to reduce it, local resources that help, and more. Peace River Center is offering a few opportunities throughout May to help you learn more and increase awareness.

Wednesday, May 10 | 8:30 to 10:30 am | The Well, Lakeland

Mental Health Coffee Chat and Presentation: Understanding The Baker Act

Similar to our previous Coffee Chats, from 8:30 to 9:15 am you will have a chance to network with others, ask Peace River Center clinical staff questions about mental health, and enjoy specialty coffee from Quigley Coffee Cart.

At 9:15 am Peace River Center staff members will present on The Baker Act, Florida’s mental health act. Misconceptions and misunderstandings often surround The Baker Act, so our experts will share what the Act is and is not, how it works, and how it helps families and individuals. We will also share the role Peace River Center and law enforcement have in local Baker Act process. Have a specific question that was not answered? Email us!

Registration for the Coffee Chat is encouraged, but you are also invited to drop by during the event.

Tuesday, May 16 | All Day

Wear Green Day

Show your support and share resources like our 24-hour Emotional Support and Crisis Line, 863.519.3744, on your social media channels. Upload a photo wearing green, plus the crisis line and use hashtag #PRCwearGreenDay. One lucky participant will win a PRC tumbler. Let’s shine a light on mental health by wearing green on May 16. Be sure to let your friends know and invite others by sharing our Facebook event.

Friday, May 19 | 8:30 am to 5 pm | Lake Crago Recreational Complex, Lakeland

Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) Community Summit

Join us for a large-scale community Mental Health First Aid training. The event, which includes lunch from Terrie Lobb Catering, is provided at no cost thanks to grant funding from Florida Blue Foundation. Space is limited though, so register today to reserve your spot.

Community Summit attendees will be trained in Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. You can file independently for up to eight (8) continuing education units (CEU) credits for this training. Check out Mental Health First Aid for more detailed information, including a few of the common national accrediting bodies.

This free summit is an excellent way you can help shine a light on mental health and help others.

Ways you can shine a light on mental health

Share Resources

Peace River Center has more than 25 behavioral health and victim services programs. Be aware of what's available and share with those in need: PeaceRiverCenter.org.

Help Others Access Care

Not everyone who needs behavioral health services can afford them. Help support these individuals by donating to Peace River Center.

Initiate Meaningful Conversations

Use person-first language (he has bipolar disorder NOT he is bipolar) and reduce stigma by sharing facts like how mental illness is common and treatable.

Need Help?

Peace River Center's Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day by calling 863.519.3744. Our appointment line is 863.248.3311. Share these resources too!

Encourage Others

You have the power to help others learn, reduce the stigma, and support community behavioral health.

You can shine a light into the darkness for individuals like Sally…

“I’m just waiting to die.”

That is what Sally* told us. She felt hopeless before connecting with Peace River Center (PRC) Care Coordination staff. Bedridden, Sally was unable to leave her tiny apartment. Tasks like cleaning and cooking were too much. Without any family support system, she spent hours completely alone.

Can you imagine such intense isolation?

Like a light shining in the darkness, PRC’s Care Coordination staff provided Sally with immediate and ongoing emotional support. They connected her to a transportation service and made sure she attended her outpatient therapy appointments.

Once her mental health and mobility improved, Care Coordination encouraged her to restore friendships. Realizing she needed more daily support, her care coordinator helped Sally find a better housing situation with a stronger support system. No longer isolated, Sally was hopeful and excited about her future. She was ready to live!

Now she enjoys craft activities and exploring the community with friends. Grateful for the help, Sally tells everyone she meets, “Peace River Center saved my life.”

When people in our community feel lost, desperate, or have nowhere else to turn, your support helps ensure PRC can come alongside them, lift them up and show them life is worth living.

In 2022, generous donors provided $365,000 of unfunded emergency psychiatric care through PRC to some of our community’s most vulnerable children and adults. Will you help shine a light into the darkness today?

Sally representing client testimonial - stock image

*Name changed and stock image used for confidentiality

Additional Resources

Annual Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) Themes

Every May Peace River Center selects a different theme to focus on during Mental Health Awareness Month. Sometimes we come alongside other well known mental health organizations like Mental Health America or NAMI and amplify the message by using their theme. Click below to explore the previous MHAM campaigns (coming soon!)

Previous Themes

2022: Together for Mental Health
2021: Make It OK
2020: Mental Health During COVID
2019: Let’s Talk Mental Health
2018: Fitness #4mind4body

1 2

You can make a difference.

By supporting Peace River Center, you’ll be helping us make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve. Whether it’s a small gift or some of your spare time, you’re contributing to our goal: to help build emotional wellness in our communities.

Donate Today!

You can make a difference.

Donate Today!

Sign up for updates!

Get news from Peace River Center in your inbox.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Peace River Center, 1239 East Main Street, Bartow, FL, 33830, US, http://peacerivercenter.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Services • Locations • Resources • Events • Donate • Contact Us

You Are Not Alone. Get Help Today!

Emotional Support & Crisis Line: 863.519.3744

Domestic Violence Crisis Hardee/Highlands County: 863.386.1167

Domestic Violence Polk County: 863.413.2700

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 863.413.2707

You Are Not Alone.
Get Help Today!