INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally. That is why this year’s theme for May is Mental Health Month – Fitness #4Mind4Body – is a call to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health, which can help achieve overall wellness and set you on a path to recovery.
May is Mental Health Month was started 69 years ago by the Mental Health Association in Indian River County’s national organization, Mental Health America, to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. Last year, Mental Health Month materials were seen and used by over 230 million people, with more than 10,000 entities downloading MHA’s tool kit.
This May is Mental Health Month, we are focused on how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also help people recover from these conditions.
Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.
“It is important to really look at your overall health to achieve wellness,” said Dr. Robert Brugnoli, the Executive Director at the MHA. “Getting the appropriate amount of exercise, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep and reducing stress – it’s all about finding the right balance to benefit both the mind and body.”
Dr. Brugnoli will be giving a talk titled “Improving Your Whole Health One Small Step at a Time” on Wednesday, May 30, at Noon. This presentation will be held at the beautiful and serene Garden Club of Vero Beach. You must register to attend however the event is no charge. Go to our website for more information. www.mhairc.org.
The Mental Health Association in Indian River County Walk-In & Counseling Center, located at 820 37th Place, in Vero Beach, offers individuals experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, free mental health screening, crisis intervention services, and information and/or referral about how to address their mental health issues.
The center is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, and psychiatry services are also available for clients seeking ongoing mental health services on an appointment basis at the center.
For more information on the Mental Health Association’s Walk-In & Counseling Center, call 772-569-9788.