The mental health foundation says its study of stress showed 74 percent of us felt so stressed this past year, we were overwhelmed or unable to cope.
So, the Pablo Foundation hosted this stress management event to help teach us to pause, reset, and learn practical ways to handle stress, from educational sessions to mental health screenings.
A church member invited Jennifer Neal, and she says the experience taught her a lot.
“There’s a community of people and a wealth of people that have a wealth of knowledge out here. Sometimes you have to ask for help,” said Jennifer Neal.
The American Institute of Stress reports 73 percent of people experience stress that affects mental health, and 77 percent say it impacts physical health and also interferes with essential vitamins.
Health provider Audrey Landrum says it’s important for everyone to take mental health seriously.
“There’s a stigma we don’t talk about. It’s like it’s not okay—but it is okay to not be okay. Before you walk out the door, you need to check in with your mental health,” said Audrey Landrum.
Aside from discussions about stress management and mental health, the event offered suicide and alcohol prevention tips, and information on child protective services.
Organizer Eleasicia Jenkins lost her son to suicide and wanted to help others manage that kind of pain by talking to other people.
“Not necessarily going to a counselor or anything but me going to public events and community events help me a lot to help someone else,” said Eleasicia Jenkins
That support helped Neal open up about the stress of dealing with her mother’s dementia.
“A soft spot in my heart. I really enjoyed this program. The speaker Mrs. T.O Holmes was great, and I want to say kudos to everyone over the program. I learned a lot,” said Jennifer Neal.
She encourages others not to face challenges alone, but to reach out for support.
By De’Nautis Liddell for Delta News
