In a bid to confront the rising tide of mental health issues, Minneapolis has painted the town green for Mental Health Awareness Month, a statement by the City's Health Department calling on residents to display green to battle the stigma surrounding mental health topics. The move comes amid startling stats that show an elevated rate of anxiety among men in the city, nearly double the state average, and the concerning fact that one in five adults suffers from some kind of mental health condition. Minneapolis Health Department has said.
Adding to the show of solidarity, iconic landmarks including the I-35W Bridge and Lowry Avenue Bridge are going green, with a roster spanning the U.S. Bancorp Center, RBC Gateway Building, and others joining in during the first week of May, proving the city's commitment to this health crisis is more than just talk. Mayor Jacob Frey reinforced this commitment with a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the city “Mental health is health,” Mayor Frey said, according to the proclamation, stressing the city's preparedness to aid those in need.
Support goes beyond visual displays, with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline providing 24/7 help – a resource that has seen a 74% jump in contacts in the past year; this highlights the crucial demand for mental health support in Minneapolis. The school district is also confronting its own daunting statics, with more than one-third of juniors reporting mental health issues and treatment and an alarming one in 10 having attempted suicide.
Disparities persist across racial lines, the white and Native American residents having more frequent diagnoses of depression or anxiety, while communities of color grapple with untreated conditions, the white individuals with mental illnesses having received health services at 52% contrasted starkly with the 37% and 35% of Black and Hispanic individuals respectively. NAMI Minnesota is stepping up to address this gap, organizing events and workshops aimed at a variety of community members wanting to learn and find support, as detailed by the Minneapolis Health Department's announcement.
Jordan Buddenhagen, the city’s fitness specialist, is also in the fray, promoting exercise to ease the mental strain, underscoring how physical activity can tailor not only toned muscles but a toned mind—with benefits such as reduced stress and heightened mood. For the youth, Minneapolis School-Based Clinics stand as a beacon of support, providing mental health services to self-referred students or those recommended by staff or family members.
