September — in addition to being National Papaya Month, Responsible Dog Ownership Month and about 20 other celebrations — is known as the month of both national suicide prevention and national recovery.
To raise awareness about these two issues, several McLean County organizations will be hosting family-friendly events toward the end of September.
Keys of Hope
Project Oz is hosting a community event called “Keys of Hope” that will fundraise for End the Silence, a National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) program that teaches youth in schools about mental illness. While the event itself will only have a video related to suicide prevention, proceeds will go toward the cause.
Executive Director at Project Oz, Lisa Thompson, said the event will also coincide with the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary.
“So we are merging in the celebration event and a fundraiser which should be a good time to raise funds for a very serious cause,” she said.
There will be dueling pianos, food trucks and sweepstakes opportunities. Tickets are on sale for $30 online and can also be bought at the door.
It is being held at Castle Theater on Sept. 29. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Illinois Interior Design is hosting the event.
ROSC 4th Annual National Recovery Month Event
For National Recovery Month, the McLean County Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care Council is hosting its 4th annual event. This year, it will be held at Anderson Park in Normal and will feature a twilight walk with purple lights to symbolize the color of recovery.
There will also be resource tables, arts and crafts stations, food, a raffle and a to-be-determined guest speaker who will talk about their lived experience with recovery.
Associate Director of Community Health Kari Knapp said this event is part of the larger work ROSC is doing in Bloomington-Normal to help bring people together to talk about substance use and behavioral health.
“Ultimately, it's through these types of events in the celebration of National Recovery Month that we're starting to break down the substance use and mental health stigma that oftentimes presents itself in communities,” she said.
The festivities will start at 5 p.m. on Sept. 30.
NAMI Walk to Support Mental Health
The National Alliance of Mental Illness Mid Central Illinois is hosting a walk with Heartland Community College, as well as a fundraiser.
Further activities will include a scavenger hunt, crafts and a positive affirmation station. There will also be food.
NAMI Secretary Amy Jeck — who is also the coordinator of student wellness at Heartland and uses she/they pronouns — said the event is primarily for suicide prevention, but recovery plays a role.
“A big part of it is to just build awareness and to bring in community and this feeling of belonging,” she said, adding that “the goal is to help people get into recovery so that there isn't as much of that suicide happening.”
It will be held Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.
