BENTON, Ill. – May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month is recognized to reduce stigma, educate the public, and support those with mental health conditions. Robin Ridgley, extension educator, partnered with Benton Community Park to display Mental Innovation signs with tips on how to help with mental health.
“Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that caring for our mental health doesn’t always require complicated solutions. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as taking a walk, noticing the breeze through the trees, or pausing to take a deep breath. The mindfulness signs placed throughout the park are designed to encourage those small moments of awareness and reflection while helping visitors experience the calming benefits of both nature and mindful movement,” says Ridgely.
Trevor McKinney, benton community park superintendent says, “We are happy to work with U of I Extension to encourage mental wellness at the Benton Community Park. The park is a great place for our community to find peace and joy while walking our paths and trails. Sometimes, we just need a simple reminder to think about aspects of life that bring us happiness and the Mindful Invitation signs provided by U of I give individuals a chance to reflect on those aspects.”
The Mindful Invitation signs will stay at Benton Community Park until the end of May and will be moved to a different location in June to continue to help those who want to clear their minds and focus on their mental health.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.