Brunswick County’s Rotary Clubs host mental health summit to mark awareness month
LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Community leaders and mental health advocates gathered Friday as Brunswick County’s Rotary Clubs kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month with a countywide summit focused on education, resources, and reducing stigma.
The Brunswick County Mental Health Summit was held May 1 at Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, bringing together service providers, public safety officials, and residents for a day of discussion and outreach.
“Mental health is an important issue that affects every single one of us, either directly or indirectly,” said Frank Williams, a past president of the Leland Area Rotary Club and former member of the Rotary District 7730 Mental Health Task Force. “Unfortunately, there is often a stigma attached to mental health that holds people back from seeking help when they need it. Let’s break that stigma.”
Williams said the goal of the event was to raise awareness, connect residents with available services, and encourage those in need to seek support.
The summit featured presentations from a range of local organizations and agencies, including Trillium Health Resources, which provided an overview of mental health trends in Brunswick County. Additional updates came from the Brunswick County Substance Abuse, Addiction & Mental Health Commission, as well as local initiatives such as treatment courts, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Anchor Initiative and ARROW Program, and Brunswick County EMS’ Community Paramedic Program.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on mental health challenges and available resources, followed by opportunities for attendees to connect directly with service providers.
Officials encourage residents seeking mental health or substance abuse resources to visit the Brunswick County government website for more information.
