May 16, 2024

May is Mental Health Awareness Month



And we need your help!


Here are some facts about the Community Mental Health System, and how Lakes Region Mental Health Center maintains operations to serve 4,000 people each year.


May is an important month for us- Please consider making your donation now.

Make Your Donation Today

From the Corner Office with CEO Maggie Pritchard

“April Showers bring May Flowers” as the saying goes. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and at Lakes Region Mental Health, we will be celebrating seasonal growth this month in many ways:


We continuously celebrate the growth we witness with our patients that continue to amaze and inspire us each day. The strength and resilience of plant life is replicated by our patients to clear their paths to wellness and recovery. I’d like to share a recent patient review: “…hands down the BEST therapist I have ever had in my life. She uses scientifically based treatments, listens amazingly, offers outstanding support when I can't even support myself, and helps me think through things in a healthy way.”


We encourage, support, and reflect on professional growth during our annual Staff Appreciation Event, to be held May 17th. Together we will celebrate and have fun, recognizing years of hard work and dedication by so many. Thank you, to our staff, for combining diligence and constant learning to help LRMHC offer evidence-based practices and the highest quality service for nearly 60 years. 


May is also the perfect time of year here to start, or resume, a new outdoor activity. We will support our communities near and far with our 28.2 Mile Walking Challenge organized through Facebook. This fundraising challenge promotes self-care with a thoughtful, subtle reminder of the challenges faced by those we serve. 28.2 miles represents the nearly one third of adults with mental illness that were unable to receive the treatment they needed in 2023, according to Mental Health America. We hope that by walking and fundraising this month, you will support your own wellbeing and the mental health of others.


Finally, the beauty of our NH spring is well captured in nature; our flowers come and go, leaves bud and fall, and yet in art, beauty lasts forever. Once again, LRMHC brings back its Annual Art Auction and we ask you all to participate by viewing the lovely pieces that have been donated to support our mission. You can go now to our auction site to bid on one (or many) of these items to have long lasting beauty of your very own! The Auction is open through May 31st


Thank you. 



Maggie 

The Art Auction is LIVE


And we need your help!


The 2nd Annual Art Auction for Mental Health Awareness Month is happening now through May 31 online on Bidding for Good. Please spread the word- share on social media, with friends and family, and with any communities of which you are a part.


This fundraising event is an important piece of our development plan. An extensive amount of time and energy goes into art collection, art cataloging, and marketing. Help LRMHC make this event a success!


We are hosting an Open House & Artist Walk on Thursday, May 23rd from 6-8pm at Lakes Region Mental Health Center and the Belknap Mill. Special guest Mayor Andrew Hosmer will speak about the "Importance of Mental Health and the Community" at 7pm.


This is your opportunity to view the art in person, meet the artists, connect with other community members, and enjoy some refreshments. Please RSVP by emailing the Development Team.

VOTE: How will you spend Memorial Day Weekend?
Attend a Parade or Service
Housework
Grill
Visit with Family and Friends
Outdoor Activities

Bloomin' 4 Good at Hannaford Bristol


We are so excited to share that, for the entire month of May, The Lakes Region Mental Health Center has been selected by store leadership at Hannaford in Bristol to receive a $1 donation from every purchase of the specially marked Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet. This is a great way to broaden awareness and help our cause. Share the news with friends and family. Call, send emails, and post on social media. The more bouquets sold, the larger the donation we will receive!

There's Still Time to Walk!


We're walking 28.2 miles this month to celebrate Mental Health Awareness!


There's still time to join the Facebook challenge today. Click here to start your own 28.2 Mile Walking Challenge and share with your friends. Don't want to walk? That's okay! You can donate directly to LRMHC here.

Thank you, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains


A heartfelt thank you to Rose and Girl Scout Troops 10364, 12117, 60200, 10639, 64087, and GSGWM for their generous donation of "caring cookies"! We can't imagine a more delicious way to feel appreciated.


Stay tuned for Girl Scout cookies to be shared with patients and staff in the coming weeks!

Click to Read the Article

Sunlight Heals and Cures. But How?


  • Sunlight increases the risk of skin cancers but lessens the risk of dying from them.
  • Exposure to sunlight extends the lifespan and reduces the risk of heart disease and other cancers.
  • The classic explanation has been that Vitamin D synthesized in the skin has protective effects.
  • Synchronizing circadian clocks with blue-rich daylight is as effective, without skin exposure to sunlight.


Article posted May 10th on Psychology Today by "The Light Doctor" Martin Moore-Ede M.D., Ph.D.

Pictured: Light Up Green participant Lakes Media in the Belknap Marketplace in Belmont, NH.

Light Up Green


Light Up Green is part of Mental Health America’s Mental Health Month campaign that requests buildings and structures across the U.S. to light up green, the color for mental health awareness, throughout May. We've asked local businesses across our region to participate. Take a stroll around downtown Laconia to view the many participating organizations-Laconia City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, the Belknap Mill, the Studio, All My Life Jewelers, Melcher and Prescott Insurance, RE/MAX, and more!

Nurse Appreciation Week


The American Nurses Association celebrated National Nurses Week 2024 from May 6 - May 12. This year's theme, "Nurses Make the Difference," honors the incredible nurses, and nursing staff, who embody the spirit of compassion and care in every health care setting.


Join us in recognizing the invaluable contributions our nursing staff make to LRMHC! Thank you nursing team!


Pictured: Vickie, Amy, Katie, Cheryl, Tinya, and Sierra

Click to Place your Bids

"Woods", 2024 by Blair (age 6)

About the Art:

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10, unframed


The image represents the earth, animals, and things all around us. Several nuts fall from the branches of the tree. The artist says, “the sky is supposed to remind you of things flying in the sky, and the ground is supposed to remind you to look at the things all around you.” 


About the Artist: Blair, age 6, is a first grader who lives in Geneva, IL. She loves art and does it any time she can. She has her own dedicated “art studio” at home, which is a closet under the stairs (think Harry Potter!). Blair says that doing art makes her feel happy, and excited! 

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Web