MAKE IT OK TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS IN MAY 2023
posted on Monday, March 20, 2023
The Make It OK campaign in Iowa, led by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, has released tools and resources for employers across the state to raise awareness of mental health and take steps to end the stigma during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Make It OK is a community campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May since 1949, is a globally-recognized mental health awareness event first started by Mental Health America.
“If Iowa workplaces aren’t putting an emphasis on mental health within their organizations, May is a great time to start or re-commit to starting the conversation,” said Jami Haberl, executive director of the Healthiest State Initiative. “Workplaces benefit from creating a culture that protects and supports the mental health of employees.”
The 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit – designed for use by individuals and workplaces – invites Iowans to Make It OK in May with:
Links to Make It OK and mental health resources and partnership content
Social media posts and graphics
Make It OK posters
Make It OK events through May
Year-round, Iowa employers are also invited to sign up as a Make It OK Registered Workplace and receive access to a comprehensive Make It OK: Employer Toolkit to support their efforts to de- stigmatize mental illness within their organizations. Globally, workplaces lose an estimated $1 trillion each year due to employees dealing with mental illness impacting their productivity.
To learn more about Make It OK, access the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit or sign-up as a Make It OK Registered Workplace, visit MakeItOK.org/Iowa.
MINDFUL MOMENTS RESOURCES:
MAKE IT OK EVENTS IN MAY:
• May 1 – Make It OK Presentation (Virtual)
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost is free, but pre-registration required.
• May 6 – Back the Black Community Kickoff
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of food, music and fun as we kick off Back the Black in Iowa!
Come with your friends and family, eat food from a local Black-owned business, and get more information about our brand new campaign at this free event.
• May 13 – Make It OK Night with the Des Moines Menace - Purchase tickets here!
Game begins at 7:00 p.m. at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines
Limited Edition Make It OK Jerseys are available here. Proceeds from jersey sales go to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative!
• May 15 – Make It OK Presentation (Virtual)
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost is free, but pre-registration required.
• May 18th – Wear Green for Make It OK Day
Show your support for Mental Health Awareness Month by wearing your favorite green shirt, pants or other apparel!
Share a photo with #MakeItOK on social media to let your network know that you support Make It OK and ending the stigma.
• May 18 – Make It OK Ambassador Training
Join over 1,000 registered Make It OK Ambassadors in spreading the Make It OK message in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities across Iowa! We will give you the resources and tools you need to fight mental illness stigma where you live and work.
Make It OK in Iowa is sponsored by Delta Dental of Iowa, City of Cedar Rapids, United Way of Central Iowa, Bank Iowa, MidAmerican Energy, Health Partners UnityPoint Health, TrueNorth Companies, Businessolver, Athene Holding Ltd., Corteva Agriscience, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Clive Behavioral Health.
