Mental Health Awareness Month, Let's Talk About It, Y'all

Let’s start with the obvious: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and if you didn’t know that, now you do. You’re welcome. No confetti cannons - just a real invitation to stop pretending like mental health is something we only talk about when someone’s “really struggling” or something “not for people like us.” Because here’s the truth: every single one of us has mental health. You don’t have to be in a crisis to deserve support, and you sure don’t have to hide it like it’s some family secret.

Across the East Region, we’re lucky to have strong, community-based mental health providers - offering services that meet people where they are, not where they should’ve been. Our agencies provide therapy, crisis care, school supports, peer mentorship, substance use treatment, and the kind of boots-on-the-ground case management and CBHW services that get people back on track when life gets messy. Whether it’s ISBH, Allwell, or another local agency or service provider, these providers are out here doing the work—quietly, consistently, and compassionately.

Mental health services matter here.

Here in our region, behavioral health care isn’t just about sitting in an office talking about feelings. It’s often about the everyday stuff - helping someone find safe housing, working with a teen who’s gotten in some trouble, or supporting a parent who’s just trying to keep it together for their kids. It’s practical. It’s personal. And it helps our whole community stay stronger and safer.

Sometimes, support means therapy or medication. Other times, it’s helping someone sort through a stack of unopened mail, giving them the confidence to apply for a job again, or showing up with the kind of consistency that says, “You matter, and I’m not going anywhere.” We’re talking about the kind of care that understands real life - and offers real solutions.

Let’s talk about stigma—because it’s still a problem.

There’s a reason some folks still whisper the words “mental health,” like it’s something to be ashamed of. That stigma? It’s old. It’s outdated. And frankly, it’s not helping anybody.

Here’s the thing: getting help doesn’t mean you’re weak - it means you’re smart enough to know you deserve better than carrying it all alone. Would you feel ashamed about seeing a doctor for a broken arm? No? Then why feel bad for seeing one when your mind or emotions need some healing?

And here’s something else we don’t talk about enough: supporting the mental health of others helps everyone. When folks feel heard, supported, and connected, they’re more likely to stay steady. They’re more likely to work, parent, and show up in the community. They’re less likely to end up in crisis. And that’s not just good for them - it’s good for all of us.

Now let’s talk about parenting—because whew, this one’s complicated.

A lot of us raising kids (or helping with grandkids) grew up in households that believed in firm rules, strong discipline, and respect for your elders. And those values still matter. But times have changed, and the tools we’re using now are different. We’re trying to raise kids who can express themselves, make safe choices, and stand up for themselves—and sometimes that means things look different than they used to.

It’s hard when you teach a kid they’re allowed to say “no” to hugs, and then they won’t give Papaw a hug on Father’s Day. Or when you encourage your child to speak up—but they use that voice to argue about bedtime. That tension? It’s real. We’re doing our best to raise emotionally healthy, confident kids, while still trying to teach respect and responsibility. And sometimes, it feels like we’re doing it without a map.

But here’s the thing—this isn’t about throwing out the values we were raised with. It’s about adding to them. It’s about raising kids who are both kind and strong. Respectful and resilient. Who know right from wrong and know how to ask for help when they need it.

Mental health services support all of that.

Whether it’s a child learning how to handle big emotions, a teen reconnecting after a mistake, or a parent learning how to manage stress without snapping - we’re here for it. This work isn’t about blame. It’s about building something better, together.

So this May, do one small thing:

• Call someone who’s been distant.

• Thank a counselor, case manager, or peer supporter you know.

• Let your kids or grandkids know it’s okay to talk about feelings.

• And if you need support, reach out. You matter, too!

Let’s stop stomping down our emotions and start stomping out the stigma. We’ve done the quiet suffering thing - it’s time for something different.

Here’s to breaking cycles, having hard conversations and leaning on each other – just like we always have.

-          Shannon Frame, ISBH