It’s estimated that one in four people in Crow Wing County suffer from a mental illness, and many of them wait years before seeking treatment, mainly due to the stigma.

The “Make it OK” campaign is designed to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness, and it also prepares people to help someone else that may be dealing with a mental illness. At the very least, the “Make it OK” presentation is designed to at least get people talking about mental illnesses.

“We are a wonderful Midwestern culture, but we kind of think that we should be able to figure things out on our own,” Kathy Sell, a Crow Wing Energized team member, said. “So, it’s hard sometimes, within your own friend group, to say that I need some help, or even within yourself to say I need to reach out and get help beyond what I can do on my own. I think if everyone here just talks to people in their circle of influence over the next few weeks, it can really help to open up conversations.”

Crow Wing Energized is hosting three more “Make it OK” presentations in the month of May in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month.

• Saturday, May 11^th at 1 p.m. – Brainerd Public Library
• Tuesday, May 21^st at noon – Brainerd Lakes Chamber
• Wednesday May 22^nd at 6 p.m. – Prairie Bay Grill & Catering

By — Anthony Scott