Mental health awareness public forum planned

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, a Mental Health Awareness Public Forum will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Warrenton Rural Fire Station, 236 S. Main St., Warrenton.

The public is encouraged to participate in the forum to learn more about the challenges of mental health and ways to address the mental health conditions that are affecting adults and children.

The forum is designed to address the confusion caused by understanding the signs of a mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual disabilities.

The Mental Health Forum will raise awareness of the importance of speaking up about mental health, with individuals sharing what life with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual disabilities feels like. The sponsors and scheduled speakers hope to help remove the shame and stigma of speaking out, so that more people can be comfortable seeking help.

The Warren County Board of Commissioners, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare and the Rho Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated are partnering to sponsor the event in an effort to increase knowledge of mental health issues within the five-county area served by Cardinal Innovations Healthcare (Warren, Franklin, Granville, Halifax and Vance and Warren).

Light refreshments and door prizes will be provided.

For more information, contact Angelena Kearney-Dunlap at 252-257-3115 or email angelenakdunlap@warrencountync.gov.