One in four adults — approximately 60 million Americans — experiences a mental health disorder in a given year.
One in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder.
About one in 10 children live with a serious mental or emotional disorder.
Southwest Behavioral Services has launched a campaign to promote mental health wellness and to empower those living with a mental health issue to “Say It Out Loud!” The campaign seeks to promote mental health wellness for every child and adult in the Tri-State area, lower the barriers that prevent people from either seeking or offering help and support, and build a larger, stronger base of community support for an effective network of treatments services and programs.
In response, an Art Contest is being held through May 31. The contest helps promote May is Mental Health Month.
This year’s campaign, “Say It Out Loud!”, was selected to help educate the public about mental illness and to not be afraid to talk about it. The “Say It Out Loud!” campaign is based on current research indicating that the best way to address the misperceptions associated with mental Illnesses is by giving people the opportunity to engage with one another on the subject in a meaningful way and to share their experiences and knowledge.
The winning artwork will receive $200 (first place is $100, second place is $50 and third place is a $25 Walmart gift card) and will be featured in the organization and possibly used for promotional activities. The contest is available to Southwest Wisconsin residents 6 and older. Contest criteria:
• The contest theme, “Say It Out Loud!” must appear on the poster. Share your story. Treatment works. Ask for help. Recovery is possible.
• To qualify, all posters must be original artwork at least 8.5 inches by 11 inches and no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. The poster may be done in any medium (paint, colored pencils, computer generated, etc.). Only posters using color will be eligible.
• Everyone who enters will receive a “Say It Out Loud!” bracelet.
• Entry forms can be picked up in Platteville at Southwest Behavioral Services, 1450 East Side Road, and are available online at www.southwesthealth.org.
• Artwork should be dropped off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or mailed to Southwest Behavioral Services, 1450 East Side Road, Platteville, WI 53818. All entries must be delivered or postmarked by May 31, 2016 to be eligible.
If you or someone you love has symptoms of a mental health condition or is diagnosed with a mental illness, Southwest Behavioral Services can help you take the first steps toward recovery. Mental illness affects every aspect of life and presents many challenges to individuals and their families. People who struggle with mental health conditions need community support and continuity of care to move toward recovery. Call Southwest Behavioral Services at 608-348-3656 for all your mental health needs.
