1 day Ago By Sage Alexander
On Sunday, the city of Eureka will be hosting a town hall to tackle the myths associated with mental health. Two panels, one of professionals and another of people with lived experiences, will be held in the Wharfinger Building. The keynote speaker is Joseph Reid, the author of the book “Broken Like Me.
”Jacob Rosen, managing mental health clinician for Eureka’s CARE program, said he hopes the event will address myths and stigmas people hold around mental illness — especially because tragedies are preventable.“Mental health is one of those things where the stigma literally kills people,” he said.“If someone is experiencing suicidal thinking and they don’t reach out for help because they’re afraid of judgment, and then that person dies, the stigma.
.. has literally killed somebody,” said Rosen.
Another myth Rosen is passionate about busting is one he runs into a lot at work, at the Crisis Alternative Response Eureka team, which arrives to help people in mental health crises. He said people often assume those with mental health issues are violent, but rather, “the research shows that individuals with mental health issues are no more violent than the rest of the population,” he said.Another myth he pointed out is the idea that once someone experiences a mental health issue, they can’t get better or recover.
People on the lived experience panel will discuss how stigma has affected their lives, and will also share their experiences working toward recovery.Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel, who has launched this series of town halls on mental health as an initiative, is passionate about destigmatizing mental health challenges.“This is not a moral failing.
This is something that happens,” she emphasized.She said she often hears people assuming only homeless people can have a mental illness, but says rather mental health affects everyone. She said it’s important for people to hear personal experiences about mental health struggles, as people identify with each other through stories.
One she shared Tuesday was the experience of her cousin dying by suicide after losing his job at a mill.“He grew up in a time where men shouldn’t show their feelings. ‘You just need to buck up and get it done,’ ” she said, noting he did not reach out for help after falling into a depression.
“It was very painful for all of us at the time, and it just reiterated to me, just one more time, how important it is that we decrease stigma,” she said, noting the impacts of his death are still huge, over a decade later.The event is part of mental health awareness month. Other awareness events hosted by the Department of Health and Human Service include a mental health walk on Tuesday, May 6, from 11 a.
m. to 1 p.m.
at the Hope Center at 2933 H St. in Eureka and a wellness and connection barbeque at Jefferson Community Center on May 23 from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m..
A 24/7 national suicide hotline can be reached by dialing 988.If you goWhat: Mental health awareness town hallWhen: Sunday, from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m.Where: Wharfinger building, 1 Marina Way, EurekaMore information: https://www.
eurekaca.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1819Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504.
