Team members from Central Maine Healthcare and the Lakes Region Recovery Center joined forces with the Bridgton community on May 18 for a Mental Health Awareness Walk.
Turnout was strong for the event that is designed to show solidarity and commitment toward raising awareness of mental health and wellness in the community.
The walkers were greeted by Stevens Brook Elementary School students who came out with handmade signs.
The Lakes Region Recovery Center is a nonprofit that is dedicated to providing peer support and resources for people suffering from substance misuse disorder.
“It was a beautiful day to hold a walk for Mental Health Awareness Month,” said Catherine Clough-Bell, LADC, CCS, president, Lakes Region Recovery Center. “The large turnout of community members and area business leaders demonstrates the commitment they hold toward continuing to create a safe environment for everyone, while tackling the stigma that encompasses mental health.
“We want to thank Bridgton Hospital and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for collaborating with the Lakes Region Recovery Center to organize this walk and thank all those who participated and helped shine a light on this important issue.”
“Twenty percent of Americans struggle with some kind of mental health problem each year,” said Rick Redmond, LCSW, director of Behavioral Health, Central Maine Healthcare. “When you’re experiencing these challenges, it’s easy to feel alone.
“The Mental Health Awareness Walk is about publicly showing our support and driving away stigma. It’s about showing our family, our friends and neighbors that they aren’t alone and that we’re here for them.”
