Mental Health Awareness Month

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Experts in the Coulee region are making an effort to combat the stigma associated with mental health issues.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but La Crosse Area Family YMCA Mental Health Director Sarah Johnson believes that spotlight should shine all year.

“Mental health is how we think, feel, and act, we all have mental health,” Johnson said. “We would argue that every day should be mental health awareness day because we’re always thinking, feeling, and acting as humans.”

The CDC says one in five people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, with the pandemic creating even more mental health challenges.

While the pandemic may have exacerbated mental health struggles, Johnson thinks there is hope on the horizon.

“Humans are resilient, and so while this has had a very tremendous impact and a very long-lasting impact for some, humans can heal and recover,” Johnson said.

Thank you WEAU 13 News for covering this story.

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