May is Mental Health Awarness Month. During May, the National Alliance on Mental Health Northern Lakes joins the movement to raise awareness about mental health.
Executive Director Mick Fiocchi says like most things, the COVID pandemic has changed their offerings. A family support group has switched to a Zoom event and by contacting Fiocchi, people can join the group via computer, for family members with a person suffering mental illness. He says they've made an effort to contact people to keep in touch and they offer peer chat. He says they've had to postpone other offerings..
'Some of our offerings have to be held in abeyance for now. Our crisis intervention training for law enforcement for example, we're just have to wait and see. We're hoping to offer one this fall..."
Fiocchi says the COVID crisis has been difficult for people needing mental health care due to the amount of social isolation...
"I know all the mental health professionals in our area have made accomodations to see clients by video or phone. I know also that if someone is in a mental health crisis that all the services that are available in the Northwoods will be available for that person on an in-person basis..."
He says people shouldn't hold back if they need help. More information on NAMI Northern Lakes is at naminorthernlakes.org or (715) 369-4740.
