Promotional flyer for let's talk.

ALPENA — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but many may not be aware, and many more may not be aware that they too could benefit from mental health exercises and services in the Alpena area.

In conjunction with this month’s theme, tonight is Part 3 of Thunder Bay Theatre’s “Let’s Talk” series, featuring a mental health awareness panel made up of community members familiar with a wide variety of mental health issues.

The four panelists will include Rick Houchin of Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, TBT’s David Delano, who has experience in the pharmaceutical field, Jillian Ferguson from Hope Shores Alliance, and MJ Smith.

“We’re really excited about this panel because what a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s no right answer to mental health,” said event organizer Adrian Alexander. “It’s just steps in a positive direction. And I think that the more we broaden that, … there is no right answer no matter how high of a professional you are.”

He explained that mental health care is different for everyone. For example, some people might benefit from yoga and meditation, while others use running or weightlifting as a mental health maintenance tool, and others may find that therapy and/or medication help.

Alexander added that a step in the right direction is identifying habitual behaviors that demean or marginalize those suffering from mental health issues.

“I think that part of the stigma against mental health comes from just the ignorance of it,” Alexander noted. “And I just think a lot of people don’t even think that some of their behaviors are considered stigma against mental health and against mental illness.”

He hopes the panel discussion will help.

“And I think that’s one of the most important things that’s going to come from this panel happening is that there will be so many conversations and points brought up, like, ‘This is considered stigma, and even though this might be a normal behavior for you and you may be just noticing something and commenting on something, that is still considered stigmatizing mental health and mental illness’.”

He said that many people who are high-functioning members of the community may be suffering from anxiety and depression, but don’t want to talk about it openly because of the way others look down on those with mental health problems. And he said that needs to change.

“I think one thing that is very stigmatized is that getting on meds is giving up,” Alexander added. “Or taking an easy way out. And I think because religion is so embedded in our society, a lot of people prefer ‘praying it away’ to talking to a counselor about it.”

He noted that this topic can be sensitive and subjective, but it needs to be discussed more openly.

“What I want the most for everyone to take away is that there are so many options, and there’s never a right answer — it’s finding the right answer for you,” he said. “Because, if you find roots in God, and that helps you with your mental health, that’s completely fine. That might be an option for you, but that may not work for everyone else.”

The event begins at 7 p.m. at Art in the Loft, cosponsor of these events.

“It’s about opening a positive dialogue about it, and offering as many positive steps as anyone can have,” Alexander concluded.

Thunder Bay Theatre began this series this year to bring community members together to learn more about each other and learn to relate with others in the community while gaining and exchanging knowledge on important social issues.

Each topic coincides with the national theme of that month. In February, Black History Month was the “Let’s Talk” theme, and in March it was Women’s History Month.

Snacks and a cash bar will be available. For more information, call Thunder Bay Theatre at 989-354-2267. There will be a wide variety of resources available at the event to help attendees learn who to call or where to go for help with their mental health.

Reach Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5691.