May is Mental Health Awareness Month. After the last two years of pandemic living, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being.

Mental health refers to our emotional and social well-being and impacts how we think, feel, and behave. It plays a role in connecting with others, making decisions, handling stress, and many other aspects of daily life. Everyone has mental health, and it deserves your attention just as much as your physical health does. 

Brookings Area United Way supports mental health advocacy through training and by being a partner of the Mental Health Coalition, a county-wide collaboration surrounding our gaps, resources, and vision of mental health in Brookings County. They meet monthly at noon every third Wednesday. You can email uw@brookingsunitedway.org to be added to the meeting invitation.

United Way provides mental health trainings throughout the year at no cost. Visit our website, brookingsunitedway.org/mental-health, for more information and to sign up. For other mental health resources, please dial 2-1-1 or check out the Helpline’s Mental Health Guide at helplinecenter.org.

Take time for yourself this month and join us and our network in continuing to advocate for mental health.