To start off Mental Health Awareness month, I sit down with Athena Sitaras, a therapist and social worker in training as we discuss her take on the stigma of mental health, how she feels about its perception, stories of her own struggles, what got her into going into the field, how the training to become a licensed professional is & many stories along the way! A great discussion with a very smart & caring person! I also describe my own struggles and make an admission of my own. Mental Health Awareness is very important to me, and should be important to many of you as well. Someone you know in your life may be struggling with issues such as depression, suicidal thoughts & much more. Be there for them, even in the littlest of ways. It goes a long way into someones happiness, and im hoping as the stigma is broken, that its okay to not be okay, and to be able to speak up when you're down, or to talk to someone in a private setting. Below Me are numbers and links to contact in the New York & Central Florida Areas:
1-800-273-8255 - National Suicide Prevention Hotline
631-952-3333- DASH Hotline & Crisis Care Center in Long Island, New York
Crisis & Suicide Hotlines by Area (Florida)
Orange, Osceola, Seminole, & Brevard County Crisis Hotline: 2-1-1
Hillsborough County Suicide & Crisis Hotline: (813) 234-1234
Lake County: (352) 483-2800
The Connection Helpline a Christian Volunteer Helpline open 1pm-10pm
Maitland: (407) 740-7477
Central Florida Helpline Open 7am-11pm
Marion County: (352) 629-9595
24-Hour Crisis Line The Centers
Orlando: (407) 425-2624 LifeLine of Central Florida
Pinellas County:
(727) 791-3131 24-Hour Suicide Hotline
(727) 541-4628 24-Hour Mental Health Assistance
https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Mental-Health-Awareness-Month