Mental Health Awareness Month Highlights and Fundraiser

National Alliance on Mental Illness, nami.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, nami.org

Credit: Mental Health Awareness Month

Center for Community Mental Health Celebrates Mental Health with Fifth Annual Food for Thought 

Mental Health Awareness Month was from May 1st to May 31st, but the reason we are highlighting it still is that Mason’s Center for Community Mental Health held its fifth annual Food for Thought fundraiser at the beginning of May. This was to raise awareness of the mental health needs of the Northern Virginia community and to highlight the ways in which the center serves those needs.  

Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of the center, and Ann Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, opened the evening from the shores of Mason Pond, speaking about the transition of education and the work of the center to a virtual space at the outset of Covid-19 restrictions. The event, hosted by DC101 radio personality Gregory Roche, and featuring appearances by renowned chef José Andres and musical performers SHAED, raised nearly $85,000 for the center. 

George Mason University’s Center for Center for Community Mental Health is the primary training clinic for graduate students in the clinical and school psychology programs and serves the community through a range of evidence-based treatment services, primarily therapy, psychoeducational testing, and mental health evaluations. The center serves all ages (children, adolescents, and adults) and provides individual, family, group therapy, and couples counseling. 

Services are primarily provided by graduate students under the supervision of qualified, licensed professionals. All of the center’s supervising faculty are affiliated with Mason, practicing, teaching, and/or conducting nationally-funded research. 

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, a perfect opportunity for the center to highlight its role in the Fairfax community. Food for Thought introduced viewers to some of the graduate students who provide services through the center, as well as some of the people who have benefitted from those services. The 144 online participants had the opportunity to bid on three live auction opportunities and a number of silent auction items, provided by a host of generous sponsors. 

“We were blown away by the willingness of so many people to help make our first virtual event a success!  The funds raised at our event will help essential workers, veterans, and others receive critical therapy and testing services at affordable rates.  As the pandemic is ending, the mental health crisis is truly emerging, and we want to be there to help our community!”  Mehlenbeck said. 

More information about the Center for Center for Community Mental Health  is available at psyclinic.gmu.edu. 

In other mental health news!

Mental Health awareness is a serious issue. As we have all learned this past year and a half it is important to take care of our mental health and well-being. More Americans have been diagnosed with Anxiety and depression through the pandemic and we can be there to help each other if we all take a moment to educate ourselves on how to help each other. To learn more about Anxiety and Depression, please visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website here. 

While May was mental health awareness month. June is Pride month! Below, we wanted to quickly highlight some mental health resources for the LGBTQ+ community. Follow us on social media for pride month highlights in psychology and of LGBTQ+ Psychologists! 

Overall Mental Health Awareness Resources: 

Best Podcasts for Mental Health of 2021 - via verywellmind.com

  • Best Overall: The Positive Psychology Podcast.
  • Best for Anxiety: The Anxiety Podcast.
  • Best for Time Constraints: Meditation Minis.
  • Best for Humor: The Hilarious World of Depression.
  • Best for Emotional Trauma: The Trauma Therapist Podcast.
  • Best for Complex Topics: Tara Brach.

Pride Links

The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Take You Through the Year - via healthline.com

  • 'The Nod'
  • 'Therapy for Black Girls'
  • 'Throwing Shade'
  • 'Cafeteria Christian'
  • 'Mental Illness Happy Hour'
  • 'WTF with Marc Maron'
  • 'Code Switch'
  • 'The Happiness Lab'