The United States Representative for Alabama’s 7th District, Terri Sewell, has organized a virtual discussion titled “Mental Health is Health: Overcoming the Stigma and Breaking Down Barriers to Care.” The event will take place on May 29 at 3 p.m. CDT. Joining Sewell are Dr. Nadia Richardson, founder and CEO of the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute in Birmingham, and Tyrinda Hall, chief of mental health for the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System.
During the discussion, they will discuss the importance of mental health to overall well-being, the need to reduce stigma surrounding mental illnesses and the resources available for veterans and others dealing with mental health conditions. The event will be live-streamed on Sewell’s official social media pages including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that one in five Americans experiences mental illness but less than half seek treatment. In response to this statistic, Congress designated 988 as the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline in 2020 which provides 24/7 free and confidential support for individuals in distress.
