New Members
May is National Mental Health Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and to breaking the stigma that too often prevents individuals from reaching out for help.
This May, Mount Wachusett Community College, Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, and TaraVista Behavioral Health Center have teamed up in a GO GREEN for Mental Health community campaign. “Good mental health starts with connection and what better way to reach more people than by working together as employers, educators and caregivers,” said Sheila Crowley, Hospital Administrator/COO for TaraVista.
Wearing green throughout May is a symbolic way of spreading the word that mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health issues affect everyone. One in five adults and one in six youths encounter mental health difficulties annually. Early intervention is key to improving emotional and mental well-being just as it is for any medical condition.
“We are encouraging all members of the community to proudly wear green on Tuesday, May 9th. I’d love to see employers and community organizations sponsor a Wear Green Day for their staff on May 9th. It is a simple and fun way for everyone to show their support, furthered Melissa Fetterhoff, President and CEO of the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Please share your support on May 9th by posting your green attire on social media with #itiseasytobegreen. You can also email Tracey Rogers at togers@taravista.care and the sponsors will share on their social pages. Sharing on social media reinforces the message that it is both okay and necessary to seek treatment for mental health issues.
“The GO GREEN on May 9th campaign is about inspiring as much community engagement as possible. At Mount Wachusett Community College our vision is to foster a culture of wellness across the college, for students as well as for staff and faculty. We are proud to partner with our friends at TaraVista and the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce to promote Mental Health Awareness Month,” stated MWCC President James Vander Hooven.
This is the first year for the campaign and the sponsors hope to make it an annual event. For more information or if you would like a poster to display, reach out to Tracey Rogers, TaraVista Behavioral Health Center, at trogers@taravista.care. For mental health resources and helpline information, visit www.taravista.care/resources.
About the Campaign Sponsors
Mount Wachusett Community College is a community college in Gardner, Massachusetts with an annual enrollment of 10,000 students offering over 70+ degree and certificate programs and workforce development to North Central Massachusetts.
Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business advocacy, community and economic development association serving the communities of Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Clinton, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Sterling, Townsend, West Boylston, Westford and nearby towns.
TaraVista Behavioral Health Center is a leading provider of inpatient psychiatric care serving children, adolescents and adults throughout Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. TaraVista, located in Devens, cares for 3,500 patients annually and employees 350 staff members.
