Ottawa County Community Day set for May 12
OAK HARBOR - Ottawa County has created an interconnected, multi-agency safety net for residents struggling with mental health issues. Dozens of local agencies work together to provide resources to address mental health, and now they are coming together in one event to showcase all that the county has to offer.
Ottawa County Community Day, to be held May 12, was created by the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition and the Ottawa County Council of Health and Social Concerns and then soon evolved into a countywide project. The event, which is free and open to the public, is a collaboration of more than 40 local agencies, from counseling services and hospitals to banks and fitness centers. They will provide information and resources for all ages, provide opportunities to apply for services, give away prizes and freebies, and invite attendees to enjoy activities based on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual.
The event is co-coordinated by Stephanie Cavanaugh, executive director of Ottawa County Family and Children First Council, and Michelle Veliz, Ottawa County Health Department health educator.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Ottawa County Community Day will introduce local residents to the many mental health advocate agencies in the county and showcase how closely those agencies work together.
“There really isn’t a wrong door here in the county. If you go in one agency, they’ll connect you to another. What’s so special about this day is that they’ll all be together,” Veliz said. “This will encourage people to use the community support that’s already in place, whether that’s a social service agency or a church. Sometimes it’s just getting in the front door. We’re helping people take the first step.”
During the event, local residents will share stories of healing from mental health struggles.
“They will be sharing their personal stories and walking through what mental health services they utilized in Ottawa County and what helped them the most,” Veliz said. “They are very powerful stories. When they began utilizing the help people were offering, they realized how connected those agencies are.”
Event to be held in building that houses Joyful Connections
The event will be held in the county-owned building that houses Joyful Connections. It was made available by the Ottawa County Commissioners.
A large venue is vital for the event’s success.
“We’ve never done something on this scale. We’ve never had a community project this big. This will empower people,” Veliz said. “Ottawa County does a great job of helping people.”
Help and hope is the underlying theme of the event.
“The best thing is we will be celebrating mental health, not just sitting around a table talking about it,” Cavanaugh said. “That’s what Ottawa County is about — celebrating.”
The organizers hope the event will help address the stigma around mental health that often prevents people from seeking help. When they reach out for help, they are taking their first step toward celebrating.
“Many people suffer in silence,” Veliz said. “But who hasn’t needed community at some point in their life?’
Ottawa County Community Day will be noon to 6 p.m. May 12, at 8200 W. Ohio 163 in Oak Harbor. OCTA public transportation will extend its schedule that day to accommodate attendees. Call 419-898-7433 to schedule a ride.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ottawa County Community Day set for May 12
