Tykes & Teens Invites Treasure Coast Communities to
‘Paint the Town Green’ for May Mental Health Awareness Month
Tykes & Teens, a leading provider of the highest quality, evidence-based mental health services and programs for children and adolescents for 25 years, is inviting the families and communities it serves throughout the Treasure Coast to come together to ‘Paint the Town Green’ for the month of May in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month.
“As we continue facing the staggering impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the mental health of our children, families and communities we serve, the need to focus on mental health awareness and self-care has never been greater,” said Tykes & Teens CEO Eric Garza, MHA, LCSW. “Taking care of our mental health and wellbeing is just as important as our physical health.”
History of Mental Health Month
Mental Health Month (also known as Mental Health Awareness Month) was established in 1949 by the Mental Health America organization, to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. It is to raise awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of children, families and communities.
Why Mental Health Matters – Every Day
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness:
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34
Tykes & Teens’ ‘Paint the Town Green’ initiative is focused on two areas of building mental health awareness:
- SELF-CARE and reinforcing the importance of caring for our personal mental health and wellbeing; and
- LISTENING to those around us and supporting their mental health and wellbeing in order to remove the stigma and shame often associated with seeking mental health support.
How can you get involved with ‘Paint the Town Green’?
Self-Care Daily Challenge
Celebrate the importance of focusing on mental health and wellbeing by participating in Tykes & Teens’ daily self-care challenge. The calendar includes daily prompts and activities to help focus on our individual wellbeing, which in turn allows us to better support those around us. Download the calendar at www.tykesandteens.org/paint-the-town-green.
Get Your Green On and LISTEN!
As part of its commitment to removing the stigma and shame associated with mental health, Tykes & Teens is encouraging the community to get your green on and take the time to truly listen to those around us. Tykes & Teens will be distributing a variety “LISTENING” materials throughout the community during May, including stickers, wristbands and ribbons. You can show that you care about the importance of mental health and listening by wearing yours and getting your green on. Throughout the month Tykes & Teens will also be sharing tips on how to effectively listen and resources for mental health support.
Participate in May Events:
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- There’s still time to register and join us tomorrow on Cinco de Mayo for an evening of cooking virtually alongside renowned Chef Leanne Kelleher from The Tides of Vero Beach! Our first Cooking for Kids’ Sake benefits the vital mental health services Tykes & Teens provides for children and families in our community. Participation is not limited to Vero Beach or even Florida! To register, visit www.tykesandteens.org/cooking-for-kids-sake.
Thursday, May 13, 2021, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie is hosting a give-back night for Tykes & Teens plus discounted attraction passes when you mention Tykes & Teens when purchasing your pass! Enjoy go-karts, laser tag, virtual reality, spin zone, ropes courses, trampolines and more while benefitting the mental health programs Tykes & Teens provides. 20% of every attraction pass purchase during the two hour event will be donated to Tykes & Teens.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
- Get your green on and receive free custard! Culver’s of the Treasure Coast, including Stuart, Jensen Beach and Tradition, is giving a free scoop of fresh frozen custard with purchase for everyone wearing green to support Mental Health Awareness.
About Tykes & Teens
Tykes & Teens has been a leading mental health provider for children and adolescent evidence-based programs and services for 25 years. Our passion and commitment are to empowering children and strengthening families by ensuring that all children have access to high quality counseling and mental health services, regardless of financial status. Our mission is prioritizing children’s mental health in our families, schools and communities through a wide range of prevention, education, and treatment programs and services. We also advocate for increased awareness of mental health to remove the stigma and shame often associated with seeking mental health treatment. Since our inception, we have provided affordable quality mental health services for more than 60,000 children in need across the Treasure Coast from more than 50 service locations, including outpatient offices in Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie, and Vero Beach, on-site services in all Martin County schools, and in schools in Okeechobee and Indian River counties, as well as collaboration with numerous community partners, in addition to virtual telehealth services. We have continued to offer our services and programs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual telehealth care. We accept most insurance, private payments, and we are a Medicaid-approved provider. We have successfully administered a sliding fee scale for those in need when necessary for more than 20 years. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, we also provide $750,000 in unreimbursed services to the communities we serve each year. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
