STROUDSBURG, Pa. — It's a sight that catches your eye on Main Street in Stroudsburg. Green ribbons are tied to the light posts to get a conversation started about Mental Health Awareness Month.
"The more we talk about it, the less stigma that is attached to it, and the more help people can get," said Jennifer Williams, mental health deputy administrator.
On the ribbons are tags with information for mental health services.
The office of Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health and Developmental Services is also decked out in green.
Last year, the agency took over 2,100 calls from people inquiring about services. But they know more people in the community need support.
"I think people are afraid that they are going to be looked at differently, that they are going to be judged, and I think that prevents a lot of people from reaching out," explained Williams.
"We have individuals who are struggling in our community and having those resources out in the open really helps them get connected to get the help they need to receive," said Dominique Leap, director of consumer support.
The bows are just one way to get people talking about mental health. During the month of May, you'll find more conversation starters out and about.
"You might see some of our resources out in the community. We'll have coffee sleeves at the coffee shops, and, hopefully, the yard signs will be in every single yard," said Leap.
For staff with the agency, mental health awareness is all year round.
Just a few months ago, Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health partnered with other county agencies to form a suicide fatality review to see where more services are needed.
"We look at their life and what resources they were connected to during their time here, and if there were any lapses in service or they weren't connected to a certain resource that we believe could be supportive," said Leap.