May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and throughout the month, the Heart of New Ulm’s Brown County Mental Health and Wellness Action Team (MHWAT) has been undertaking a variety of activities.

In early May, the team hosted the third annual South Central Minnesota Mental Health and Wellness Conference at the Sleepy Eye Event Center. According to the conference materials, the annual conference aims to create a safe and inclusive environment where individuals from all walks of life can come together to share experiences, gain knowledge and build a supportive community. The first day of the conference was dedicated to learning for 250 professionals, while for the first time, a second day was added to educate more than 300 local eighth graders.

“The action team aims to reduce the stigma of mental health, improve resilience and improve access to mental health treatment and services, and one of our key strategies is providing education,” said Kaitlin Gawrisch, coordinator for the Heart of New Ulm.

Gawrisch said this year’s speakers focused on a range of topics, including how movement can be medicine, using food to support mental health, how laughter is medicine, how marijuana impacts brain development and having a confidence mindset. She said prevention was a big focus, as it’s an important part of the mental health conversation.

Submitted photo The Brown County Mental Health and Wellness Action Team arranged for the Hermann monument to be lit up in green in May as part of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Erin Schwab, an educator with Brown County Public Health who serves as a co-facilitator of the action team, said, “Movement, nutrition, avoiding substances, nature, sunshine, spending time connecting with other people, laughter — these things are easy to access and they all have a profound impact on our mental health. Not only are they an important part of prevention, but they are important tools that go hand-in-hand with medication, therapy and other treatment options.”

In addition to the conference, other action team activities this month have included arranging for New Ulm’s iconic Hermann Monument to be lit up in green to help raise awareness, along with creating a series of mental health videos featuring Dr. Emily Bastyr, a family medicine physician at New Ulm Medical Center. Schwab said the videos are designed to help prepare and equip any person wondering where to start when it comes to supporting their mental wellbeing.

“Mental Health is health, and we want everyone to know that it’s ok to ask for help,” said Schwab. “Your primary care provider is a great place to start and can help direct you to resources to fit your needs. There are many resources available in our area.”

The Brown County Mental Health and Wellness Action Team brings together a network of partners spanning local mental health providers, school staff, human services, public health and more to strengthen mental health resources and support across the county. Anyone who is interested in collaborating, joining the team, or learning more about the team’s work can find more information at www.heartofnewulm.com/mental-health.