One in four Central Valley residents have needed or had someone close to them need treatment for serious mental illness, an issue that cuts across racial and socioeconomic groups in the region.
This May, communities across California and the Valley will bring awareness to resources available to those needing help as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Organizations in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties have a host of events planned for the public to help them access services.
A survey released in April by the nonprofit California Health Care Foundation showed a strong need for mental health resources across the Valley.
When broken down by how survey participants responded, those results showed similar levels of need exists for mental health treatment among Latino (22%) and white (30%) residents, as well as those living under the poverty line (25%) and other groups.
Here’s a listing of some of the free Mental Health Awareness Month events across the region:
May 1: Stockton Light the Path Campus Walk – Stanislaus State Stockton campus hosts a walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention. The event is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m., University Park Rose Garden, 612 East Magnolia St., Stockton
May 4: Southeast Asian Mental Awareness Day – Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. celebrates the 14th annual event with cultural displays, resource tables, music and more. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1748 Miles Court, Merced.
May 7 & 14: Every Now and Zen Yoga – Stanislaus State Turlock main campus offers specialty yoga related to trauma facilitated by licensed professional clinical counselor Susan Brumm. The event is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m., Student Fitness Center 007 – Rec Court, One University Circle, Turlock.
May 9-10: All of Us Health Fair – Community Medical Centers is hosting a health fair with the National Institute of Health’s medical research project All of Us. The event will include tables from the San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services and CMC’s community support, substance abuse, mobile crisis teams and other mental health resources. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CMC Dorothy L. Jones Center, 2044 Fair Street, Stockton.
May 16: Mental Health Awareness Event – Santa Nella Fire Department and other community groups have organized the event for families in the region. The event is scheduled for 8-11 a.m. 29190 W Centinella Ave, Gustine.
May 18: Stockton Community Health Fair – Sankofa Holistic Therapy hosts the events at its new Stockton office. Fair will have children’s activities, complimentary food, vendor booths and other mental and health care resources. The event is scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m., 1341 West Robinhood Drive, Stockton
May 22: Mental Health Outreach Event – Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services will hold its annual Mental Health Awareness Month event with representatives from its various programs in attendance. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 301 E. 13th St, Merced.
If you are experiencing mental health issues and would like to talk to someone, services are available 24-hours a day, seven-days a week through Central Valley county behavioral health services agencies as well as national organizations.
In San Joaquin County call: 888-468-9370
In Stanislaus County call: 888-376-6246
In Merced County call: 209-381-6819
Those in crisis seeking help can call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 at any time.
Marijke Rowland is the senior health equity reporter for the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, a nonprofit newsroom which publishes The Merced Focus, in collaboration with the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF).