Family Mental Health Wellness Day personalizes mental health issues

Speakers discussed the lack of mental health resources and the stigma surrounding mental illness at the second annual Family Mental Health Wellness Day on May 19.  

The event was hosted by Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Wallace Community College and was sponsored by Black Women’s Mental Health Institute, Black Belt Community Foundation, Black Belt H.O.P.E, City Block and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). 

Attendees heard personal stories from those who struggled with their mental health. Guest speakers from Selma and all over Alabama spoke on the many factors that play into mental health and how to tackle them from the inside or as support to those struggling. Selma City School staff spoke on the many stresses students and teens face and how that leads to depression and anxiety. Attendees were also able to learn about resources available to them for their needs.  

“Our inaugural event last year was very well attended across racial lines,” Pastor Harry Allen said. “Mental illness is just as important health wise as any other health issue we have, but we are afraid to talk about it because of the stigma that comes along with it. So what better place to begin the conversation than the faith community.” 

Veronica Mixon and Jeramiah Spillers told personal stories of their mental health struggles and how they overcame them. Beverly Johnson with the Alabama Department of Mental Health discussed mental health laws. Officer Robin Jetter read a poem that they wrote for their own mental health and a dance was performed by Traci Stevenson.  

Community conversation included Selma City Councilperson Leisa James, Pastor John Grayson of Tabernacle, Dr. Alisa Smiley-Rudolph of Selma City Schools and former Selma City School Superintendent Dr. Donald Jefferson.  

The importance of faith and family in mental health was discussed by Pastor Grayson. Irby Williams, founder and CEO of City Block Wellness Centers, talked about suicide awareness and how it affects family and friends. Community resources were shared by Dr. Nadia M. Richardson, founder and CEO of Black Women’s Mental Health Institute.  

Jerome Jones Jr. and Nurse Practitioner Wanda Spillers of Shelby County presented the welcome address. 

May has been Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949.