'Make It OK' to talk about mental illness, end stigma
GazetteApr 25, 2022
Apr. 25—The "Make It OK" campaign, led by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, has released tools and resources for employers across the state to raise awareness and take steps to end the stigma during May which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Make It OK is a community campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness, according to campaign officials. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed every May since 1949 and is a globally-recognized event first started by Mental Health America.
A mental illness is:
—A medical condition disrupting an individual's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.
—Common. Nearly one out of five Americans live with a mental illness.
—Treatable. Most illnesses can be treated effectively with medication, therapy, diet, exercise and support. Recovery is possible.
"If
The 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit, designed for use by individuals and workplaces, invites Iowans to Make It OK in May with:
—Links to Make It OK and mental health resources
—Social media posts and graphics
—Outreach communication templates
—Make It OK posters
—Make It OK Stories: The Podcast
Globally, workplaces lose an estimated
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
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