Celebrate Mental Health Month in Sheboygan

Mental Health 7 years ago Trisha Erpelding Less than a minute to read

Since 1949, the national office of Mental Health America (MHA) and its affiliates across the country, including MHA in Sheboygan County, have led the observance of “May is Mental Health Month” by reaching millions of people through media, local events and screenings. This year, MHA in Sheboygan County is happy to announce several events promoting mental health that are taking place right here in our own community.

 Sheboygan Mental Health America will host their “Community Mental Health Rally” from 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, May 5, at Calvary Evangelist Lutheran Church, 27th Street and Geele Avenue, Sheboygan. This event will be free and open to the public.

 This event will feature several speakers from the mental health field, including Dr. Carolyn Baxter of Prevea, Laura Reinemann of Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, Denise Pazur of Empathos Resources, and Kate Baer, the executive director of Mental Health America in Sheboygan County.

 Attendees will also have a chance to hear stories from people living with mental illness during this empowering event.

 Sheboygan Mental Health America will also hold “Mindful Moment,” geared toward moms, from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at Mental Health America in Sheboygan County, 915 N 7th St., Sheboygan. Are you a mom, mom-to-be, or a hopeful-mom-to-be? Maybe you just love your mom and want to take a moment to give gratitude?

 Join the MHA Mindful Instructors to learn about and practice mindfulness, taking an opportunity to slow down, breathe and release stress. Learn simple techniques that anyone can practice throughout their day to bring a variety of wellness benefits, including increased serenity, improved focus, and reduced stress. All are welcome — we just ask that folks pre-register as there is limited space.

Finally, Sheboygan Mental Health America will offer the 2nd annual “Spring into Mindfulness” event, a day of self-discovery, on Saturday, May 19, at the beautiful and unique Lake Orchard  Farm Retreat just north of Sheboygan,  W839 Lake Orchard Ct., Sheboygan.

Participants can register for our discounted  full day package (which includes  four 90-minute sessions for $100), or pick and choose breakout sessions  a la carte ($30 per 90-minute session).  Sessions are led by local experts, and include yoga, mindful movement, guided meditations, creative painting and coloring, gardening and mindful eating, to name a few.

If you aren’t able to make it for the entire  day, we would love to have you join us for lunch. The lunch session (included  in the full-day package, or available as an individual session purchase) includes  a delicious buffet-style meal provided  by Nourish Farms.

Participants will enjoy the meal together  in the property’s beautiful restored  barn, and highlights include a seasonal green salad with maple syrup vinaigrette, vegetarian minestrone with heirloom beans, tilapia chowder (featuring  fish raised by Lake Orchard Farm Retreat), and rhubarb crisp for dessert.

During lunch, we are pleased to present  this year’s keynote speaker Elba Mueller, a local life coach, writer, meditation  instructor and author of “The Beginner’s  Guide to Happiness: 15 Secrets to a Richer, More Fulfilling Life.”

To learn more about “Spring into Mindfulness,” including session details and information about our expert presenters,  please visit www.mha sheboygan.org.

 

Trisha Erpelding, MSW, is the education  coordinator at Mental Health America in Sheboygan County.