Milton Campaign Highlights 'Mental Wellness Matters' In September

MILTON, GA — For the third consecutive year, the City of Milton will shine a spotlight on mental wellness during September, recognizing the wide range struggling with depression, anxiety and other such ailments while sharing ways to get better, one day at a time.

The LRJ Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting mental health with operations in Georgia and Pennsylvania, will again partner with the City of Milton on this extensive outreach and educational effort. Emphasizing "Mental Wellness Matters" in Milton, the city and LRJ will explore a new theme every week throughout the month.

Unlike past years, there will not be a main event but rather a program of posts on the city's social media channels, online videos, and website updates.

The topics include:

• Exploring the stress, anxiety and other issues facing students, as well as what they and their parents can do about it
• The unique mental health challenges of first responders, noting how Milton tries to address those for police officers and firefighters
• How mental health problems can make it into any workplace (knowing some jobs have more than others), with an eye on approaches to assess and handle such difficulties
• Social isolation and loneliness, and all the mental and physical issues those can be contributed to, among older people, issues exacerbated by the pandemic
• The reality that members of the military face higher risks for certain mental health conditions, along with some resources available to help them

This campaign overlaps with National Suicide Prevention Week from Sept. 5-11 and World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10. Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood and City Council members have issued a proclamation at their Sept.r 8 meeting, formally recognizing suicide prevention week, working to reduce stigmas related to talking about such psychological struggles, and generally promote mental wellness.

The City of Milton has focused on mental issues in acknowledgement that many in the community, like all others, suffer with them, sometimes without anyone noticing. These struggles affect people of all types, some of whom are reluctant to acknowledge their pain and seek help. And their loved ones may not know what to do or where to get assistance. Generally, too, this effort aims to encourage people to tend to their mental health, just like their physical health, as best they can.

Those interested in learning more about this important subject can visit the city's special webpage or follow the city on its Facebook page.