Area organizations are sponsoring Mental Health Month activities this month.
“It’s OK to Talk Mental Health Matters in Kansas City” is the theme of a community event to be started at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo.
The events are designed to encourage people to talk about conditions such as depression anxiety, obsessive behaviors and eating disorders.
One of the speakers at this event will include Anthony Davis, former Kansas City Chiefs player, who will address the importance of reaching out to someone with a mental illness. Davis will speak at 1:30 p.m. May 6 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center.
According to community organizations, untreated mental illness is a serious health problem that affects many lives in the region and carries a significant social and economic cost.
Other events in this effort include:
• “Respect for Mental Health Awareness,” 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 5 at Pierson Auditoruium, UMKC campus.
• “Text, Talk, Act,” May 7, Kansas City, Mo., Sly James and Kansas City, Kan., Mayor Mark Holland are sponsoring a local effort to reach 15,000 young people. Text “START” to 89800.
• “How the Stigma of Mental Illness in the African-American Community Impacts Treatment,” 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. May 8, Faith Deliverance Family Worship Center, 3043 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan. Featuring Dara Gill, Fletcher, who holds a doctorate. Contact Stacy Davis at 913-281-2221 to register.
• “Mental Health First Aid,” adults, 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. May 9, Concord Fortress of Hope, 11050 W. Longview Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. Contact Mark Sunde at [email protected].
• “Unveiling and Celebration of Journey to Health Mural,” 3 p.m. May 13, Wyandot Center Health and Wellness Clinic, 1301 N. 47th St., Kansas City, Kan. Contact Mark Wiebe, 913-233-3348.
• “Children’s Mental Health Issues: Services, Symptoms and How to Get Help,” 6:30 to 8 p.m., May 14, Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, Kan. Registration online at www.mhah.org or contact Stacy Davis, 913-281-2221 to register.
• “Why Did I Eat That? A Cognitive Therapy Approach for Helping Those Struggling with Weight Loss and Healthy Lifestyle Changes,” 9 a.m. to noon May 15, First Church of the Nazarene, 11811 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo. Contact Stacy Davis, 913-281-2221 to register.
• “Ben’s Ride,” May 16, Bicycle ride to fund depression and anxiety research or a 1-mile walk or 5K walk-run for those who don’t ride. Packet pickup, 8 a.m., Mission, Kan. Register at www.bens-ride.org.
• “Mental Health First Aid,” Spanish adult version, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21, Mattie Rhodes, Northeast Office, 148 N. Topping Ave., Kansas City, Mo. Contact Monica Sierra-Mayberry, 816-581-5607 to register.
• “Mental Health First Aid,” adult version, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 27, Wyandot Center, 1301 N. 47th St., Kansas City, Kan. Contact Beth Yoder Stein, 913-328-4633 to register.
– Information from Mark Wiebe, Wyandot Inc.