WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – January is Mental Health Wellness Month, and the Helen Farabee Center is offering programs designed to help with that stress.
Lauren Hargrove said that during Mental Health Wellness Month, the Helen Farabee Center helps Wichitans maintain and improve their health by providing services to anyone who is struggling, regardless of ability to pay. Hargrove said they generally provide outpatient care, checking on the emotional and physical support of the person. She said that the center wants to create awareness that mental health is something everyone lives with.
“90 % of the people that come in our doors at Helen Farabee Centers or come into service-oriented agencies, 90% of those people have already experienced some form of trauma in their lives. When we know people who experience trauma, there can be lifelong impacts of those mental health concerns and things like that, so out of the gate, we know you know that’s 90% and that is a reported number, so we also know that there are people who don’t talk about it, don’t feel comfortable talking about it,” Hargrove said.
She said the Helen Farabee Center aims to destigmatize mental health and encourages individuals to express their feelings. The center offers mental health and first aid classes to educate the community on mental health awareness. These classes address trauma, its effects on people, and its impact on mental wellness. She emphasized the importance of seeking help when needed.
“The first thing someone can do if they feel they need help for Helen Farabee Centers just comes just to show up to one of our centers. We cover 19 counties, so we have a total of nine centers. We have one here in Wichita Falls on Broad Street, and so just walk in the door and let someone know that you need some help, and we will take it from there,” Hargrove said.
Hargrove said that through the classes she teaches, people learn to understand their mental health. Such as the mental health first aid class, which aims to raise awareness of mental health concerns in the United States, help people notice when someone is having a hard time or struggling, and teach them how to guide the conversation as a support system. She said that, though the classes spread awareness, it’s important to help someone use breathing techniques.
“The power of breathing, so taking those deep breaths in and a deep breath out, that is something that doesn’t cause anything, and anybody can do that at any time. If you see somebody struggling, maybe you can help them, you know, with that controlled breathing. Other things that people can do are talk to someone they trust. You’ve been amazed at what happens when people just have someone to talk to,” Hargrove said.
Hargrove emphasized coming to the Helen Farabee Center on 500 Broad Street if you find yourself needing mental health help and wants to teach people that things can get better.
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