CADILLAC — It is okay to not be okay. That was one of many signs made during the Mental Health Awareness Walk that was held by Club Cadillac for Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental health has a history of being looked down on. Those who struggle with mental health admit it’s hard to talk about, because it is usually seen as a weakness.
Club Cadillac is looking to change that stigma.
“Oftentimes people living with mental illness are discriminated against in different ways, or sometimes are too embarrassed to seek help because of the stigma and the negativity that surrounds mental illness,” Club Cadillac Director Amy Kotulski said.
Amy adds that mental illness is extremely common; in fact, one in four adults has been diagnosed with a form of mental illness.
Many people joined the club for a Mental Health Awareness Walk today, including those who are personally affected by mental health, and the stigma they want to remove
“It gets more people out there, more aware who have mental illnesses to show that it’s okay,” Club Cadillas member Charlotte Totton said. “To show that it helps out more people out there who feel like that. They don’t think it’s okay, or if they don’t feel like they belong. But with this mental awareness walk, it helps them to be more aware that it’s all okay. ”
“There are a lot of people in the LGBTQ+ community who suffer from mental health (challenges),” Club Cadillac member River Wheelock said." Being a member of that community and also being a member of the mental health community, both experience stigma.”
Wheelock said he grew up in a family that had mental health issues and did not discuss them
Because of this, he had to rely on himself to get the help he needed.
The group carried signs with many phrases and stood on a corner downtown to raise awareness, waving the posters in the air before walking from park to park.
If you struggle with mental health, you can always visit your local emergency room or call the Northern Lakes Community Health Clinic’s Crisis line.