A walk around the park is almost always good for mental health, but on Saturday it was also an opportunity to talk about mental health.
The Suicide Prevention Network and Partnership Douglas County co-hosted a Mental Health Awareness Walk and Resource Fair at Minden Park.
Partnership Executive Director Daria Winslow said around 55 people participated in the walk to being Mental Health Awareness Month.
“They had some great conversations with members,” she said. “We also put out little signs to start the conversation about mental wellness.”
Suicide Prevention Network Executive Director Debbie Posnien said the event was a valuable way to increase awareness.
“There are a lot of things that people need, and they don’t remember they have them unless they’ve already visited some of these tables,” Posnien said. “Our community is wonderful with these resources.”
Winslow said that anything that starts conversations is worth the efforts.
“This is a free family fun event that gets that conversation started that prevention starts with you,” she said. “There is substance abuse prevention, mental health prevention, and anything of that nature. Just getting connected in your community and knowing who your partners are and who your friends are and all of the local resources available.”
In all, 14 different organizations participated in the event in the park, including:
Community Counseling Center
Carson City Health and Human Services
Carson Valley Health
Douglas County Community and Senior Center
Douglas Rural Clinics
MEFIYI Foundation
Nevada 2-1-1
The Porch Movement
Ring in Kindness
Partnership Douglas County
Serenity Mental Health
State of Nevada, Division of Child and Family Services – Rural Foster Care
Suicide Prevention Network