Latest news with #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Red Barn participating in Seen Through Horses mental health campaign through end of May
LEEDS, Ala. (WIAT) — The Red Barn is participating in the 2025 Seen Through Horses campaign, which aims to support equine-assisted mental health services. This campaign, which coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, comes to an end on Saturday. The Red Barn is one of 95 organizations working through this campaign to improve access to programs that incorporate horses into mental health services. The Seen Through Horses campaign utilizes mental health professionals, celebrities, influencers and other individuals to increase awareness for its cause. Women Under Construction Network's 21 Days of Kindness kicks off this June Donations can be made towards the campaign on The Red Barn's website through Saturday. More information on Seen Through Horses can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Appalachian Trail challenge: Franklin man's 100-mile run for a cause
Franklin resident James Flannery is preparing for a 100-mile run across part of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness and support for mental health, according to a community announcement. The run, scheduled for June 20, will cover some of the northernmost leg of the trail, known as the 'Hundred-Mile Wilderness.' It stretches from Monson in Western Massachusetts to Abol Bridge in Maine, and is considered the most remote and rugged part of the trail, with a total elevation gain of 18,000 feet. It typically takes hikers eight to 12 days to complete, but Flannery aims to finish in less than 30 hours, according to the announcement. 'The goal for me is to make it end to end, raise money for SAFE, and have a good day,' he said in a statement. 'We have to respond': How Gov. Healey acknowledged May as Mental Health Awareness Month Flannery, an experienced trail hiker, runner and ultramarathoner, is no stranger to challenging terrains. He has previously 'yo-yo hiked' the 272-mile Long Trail in Vermont, summited 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado and hiked the Hundred-Mile Wilderness route, according to the announcement. 'It's about stepping into the unknown,' Flannery said. 'I like not knowing how my mind and body are going to respond. You get to the second 50 miles, that part you've never done before, and you think, 'This is new, this is fun.'' In addition to completing the run, Flannery hopes to achieve a "fastest known time" for completing the course. It's currently 29.5 hours. 'If I have a remarkable day, an FKT might be a cherry on top,' he said. Flannery said he's planning a rare southbound route, which will take him across the trail's highest elevation gains in the second half of his race. Streets of Lexington: Runner completes self-designed 50-mile ultramarathon 'The first 50 (miles) will be kind of casual,' he said, laughing. 'Then, I'll have enough in the tank to do the mountainous sections. That's more exciting for me.' Beyond the personal challenge, Flannery is committed to raising mental health awareness and increasing access to resources. He chose to fundraise for SAFE Coalition, a Franklin area nonprofit that offers support services like teen programing, support groups and one-on-one counseling at no cost. 'As someone who has struggled with mental health at times myself, I can definitely see why SAFE's work is helpful to folks,' he said. 'I am inspired to help the cause, and I don't have a ton of money to donate. But I can do this adventure run and raise money, and I hope it will be as helpful.' For more information about Flannery's run and to support his cause, visit or text "100run" to 50155. SAFE can be contacted at info@ or 508-488-8105. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Franklin ultrarunner will take on 100-mile chunk of Appalachian Trail
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Mental Health After Trauma: Survivors of Abuse PA Highlights the Importance of Healing During Mental Health Awareness Month
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Survivors of Abuse PA is emphasizing the critical need for mental health support for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma across Pennsylvania. Healing from trauma is an ongoing journey, and for many survivors, the emotional scars left by abuse can endure for years after the physical harm has ended. Throughout May, Survivors of Abuse PA, led by Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., is bringing attention to the importance of accessible mental health care, trauma-informed legal advocacy, and survivor-centered support as essential elements of the recovery process. Survivors of sexual abuse often carry invisible wounds. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, dissociation, and trust difficulties are common among those who have suffered abuse. These mental health challenges can affect survivors' personal relationships, work lives, and overall sense of safety and stability. Survivors of Abuse PA believes that seeking justice is just one part of a survivor's healing—equally important is ensuring they have the mental health tools and emotional support needed to reclaim their lives. Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., managing attorney of Survivors of Abuse PA, stressed the deep and lasting impact of trauma. 'The effects of sexual abuse extend far beyond the moment the abuse occurs. Survivors live with the emotional consequences every day, often in silence. At Survivors of Abuse PA, we are committed not only to fighting for survivors' legal rights but also to supporting their mental and emotional well-being throughout the process,' said DiLiberto. This Mental Health Awareness Month, Survivors of Abuse PA is advocating for a comprehensive approach to survivor care, encouraging survivors to seek professional mental health support, join survivor networks, and access legal advocacy services that understand the complexities of trauma. The firm emphasizes that asking for help is a sign of courage, and no survivor should ever feel ashamed to seek the support they deserve. Trauma from sexual abuse often leads to feelings of shame, fear, and isolation, which can prevent survivors from reaching out for the help they need. Survivors of Abuse PA encourages survivors to remember that they are not alone, and there are resources and advocates ready to walk beside them through every step of the healing journey. Pursuing a civil lawsuit is not only a legal act—it can also be a powerful step toward emotional closure and holding wrongdoers accountable for the harm they caused. Survivors of Abuse PA ensures that all legal representation is trauma-informed and survivor-centered, providing compassionate support from the first consultation through the final resolution of a case. The firm also works to connect survivors with mental health professionals, support groups, and community resources throughout Pennsylvania, helping survivors address both the legal and emotional impacts of abuse. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Survivors of Abuse PA encourages survivors to prioritize their mental health and recognize that recovery is possible. Seeking legal support, mental health services, and community connections can make a profound difference in a survivor's life, helping them move from a place of pain to one of empowerment and healing. For those and their loved ones who have dealt with the emotional and psychological aftermath of sexual abuse, contact Survivors of Abuse PA for a confidential consultation. Reach out to Ashley DiLiberto and her legal team at (267) 502-9090 or visit to learn more about your rights and the support resources available to you. Survivors of Abuse PA stands with all survivors this Mental Health Awareness Month and is committed to supporting their journey toward healing, justice, and renewed hope.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Thrifted Thursday: Mental Health, Foster Care Awareness Month
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — May is Foster Care Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. WSAV's resident thriftologist Sharon Simpson and foster parent Ernestine Purdey joined WSAV's Tina Tyus-Shaw to discuss foster care and how it affects children's mental health. Get thrifting tips from Simpson each week at 5:30 p.m. or at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Penfield grad introduces new mental health training to district staff
PENFIELD, N.Y. (WROC) — May is Mental Health Awareness Month and in recent weeks, a graduate of Penfield Central Schools has brought first aid training to district faculty and staff there with the objective of better preparing school leaders in responding to a mental health crisis. In 2016, Cody Wiktorski lost his younger brother, Casey, to suicide at the age of 16. Ever since, the Wiktorski family has devoted their time to mental health advocacy in the Greater Rochester community and most recently, with this new training introduced to the staff of Penfield Central. 'That year after Casey passed was one of the hardest years of all of our lives. We really don't want people to have to go through that. I wish that this didn't have to happen in order for me to do these initiatives. We're always trying to be proactive and preventative,' said Wiktorski. In recent years, Wiktorski has become an instructor for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Virtually, he trains professionals all over the U.S. on how to best respond to youth facing mental health struggles or crises. 'Back in 2012 when I was in high school, we just didn't talk about things and there weren't really these initiatives. Going to the counselor was frowned upon. Everyone just kind of tucked it down deep and didn't really show any emotion, and we unfortunately heard about it way too late when we started losing people,' said Wiktorski. For the staff taking part, they say this is one more tool in a growing kit to assist in the changing needs of students. 'The last few years have presented a lot of challenges. We want to make sure we are providing the opportunities that our adults need to be able to create a better and more sustainable environment for our kids,' said Kevin Marriott, director of professional learning for Penfield CSD. 'I think with the more opportunities that educators have to learn new strategies, to make those connections to a more proactive approach to community within their classrooms, this training does just that to help them be successful with it,' said Rachael Wyman, a 6th grade teacher at Bay Trail Middle School who completed the training. The sessions take up to five hours, but Wiktorski says that window of time can foster conversations for years to come. 'I said [to the district], 'Listen, would you feel 100 percent comfortable in every single one of your staff, teachers, and your counselors, if a student came to you or any of your staff members with a crises — that you would feel 100 percent confident that they would know what to do in order to get them the help they need? And if the answer is any hesitation, this training is for you,'' said Wiktorski. Wiktorski intends to take the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to school districts across the Rochester area in the coming months. He adds he hopes to include Penfield staff who have completed it to work in collaboration with those who register in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
