• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    EDITORIAL -- FEATURE SPOT, Editorials, Z - TOP HOME
     By  Staff Reports Published 
    8:15 am Friday, May 12, 2023

    Promote mental health awareness, services

    Mental health matters often go without proper consideration, if they’re considered at all. Many struggling with such issues hesitate to seek help because of their feelings, either self-imposed or by society and/or friends and family members, that mental health problems represent a personal weakness.

    “No one would ever say that someone with a broken arm or a broken leg is less than a whole person, but people say that or imply that all the time about people with mental illness,” said Elyn Saks, legal scholar and mental health policy advocate.

    Each May, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, along with national organizations, works to increase acceptance and awareness, reduce negative associations and promote seeking help for mental health matters.

    “Whether we share resources, encourage others to seek help or simply are there for someone when they reach out to us, we instill hope and reduce stigma,” said Kimberly Boswel, Alabama commissioner of mental health.

    This year’s theme encourages people to take time to “look around” and “look within.” Many factors affect mental health, from your environment to your genetics and more. 

    In a crisis, or if you’re worried about a loved one who might need crisis support, call 988 for a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.

    We never know what struggles those around us are going through, so why not take that into consideration and think about how we can be kinder to one another and look for ways to help each other instead of just judging those around us? We could all use more consideration and help, and nobody should have to go at it alone. Together, we can make a difference and be stronger than we could be alone.

    One step a person can take toward protecting their well-being is to reach out and call a
    “warmline” – for non-crisis issues – as opposed to a hotline, which deals with crisis-level issues – such as the Wings Across Alabama’s Warmline, 1-844-999-WINGS, for free, non-crisis, confidential peer support.

    There’s also the Recovery Organization of Support Specialists Helpline, 844-307-1760. Both are available 24/7, with peer support specialists available to offer assistance or resources.

    Crisis centers are designated places for people to walk in or for law enforcement, first responders and EMS personnel to take an individual who is in mental health or substance abuse crisis. At a crisis center, the individual can receive stabilization, evaluation and psychiatric services. The Alabama Department of Mental Health website doesn’t list a crisis center serving Franklin County, and we think that’s a shame.

    There’s a great need for more mental health resources, especially locally available ones, and we hope someone will step up to the plate to increase local support options.

    Visit Mental Health America’s website, www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month, for a toolkit with resources, printable information, handouts, posters and do-it-yourself tools.

    For more information, visit https://mh.alabama.gov/individuals/peer-support.

    Also on Franklin County Times
    Phil Campbell Festival
    Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
    Phil Campbell Festival
    Griffin Traylor 
    June 26, 2025
    The Phil Campbell Festival was held June 20-21 at Memorial Park in downtown Phil Campbell. This year’s event featured performances by Jase Swinning, w...
    {"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Sparkman joins Belgreen as assistant principal, coach
    Main, Z - News Main
    Sparkman joins Belgreen as assistant principal, coach
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 25, 2025
    BELGREEN -- Jacob Sparkman, a seasoned educator and coach, is stepping into a dual role this year at Belgreen High School as assistant principal and o...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Children meet animals during Weatherford Public Library event
    News, Red Bay
    Children meet animals during Weatherford Public Library event
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 25, 2025
    RED BAY -- Children at the Weatherford Public Library got an up-close look at a variety of animals during an Animal Tales event that was part of the l...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Swann Brings new energy to Franklin County 4-H
    News, Z - News Main
    Swann Brings new energy to Franklin County 4-H
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 25, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Alicia Swann may be new to her role as Franklin County’s 4-H agent, but she’s no stranger to the community. A Hodges native, Swann steppe...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Argument leads to attempted arson charge
    News
    Argument leads to attempted arson charge
    Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
    June 25, 2025
    RED BAY — A Red Bay man is facing five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempted arson after he dumped gasoline throughout a residenc...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Vina, Tharptown coaches face off at Coleman Coliseum
    News
    Vina, Tharptown coaches face off at Coleman Coliseum
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    June 25, 2025
    TUSCALOOSA -- Most summer play dates don’t come with championship banners overhead, or a college coaching legend posing for photos of a father and dau...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Son is sworn in to finish what his dad had started
    Main, Z - News Main
    Son is sworn in to finish what his dad had started
    Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
    June 25, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Grayson Murray was sworn into office on Friday morning as Franklin County commissioner for District 1. Murray was appointed by Gov. Kay I...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Alabama must act to save medical residency programs
    News
    Alabama must act to save medical residency programs
    June 25, 2025
    This July, hundreds of newly matched medical residents are expected to begin their postgraduate training in hospitals and clinics across Alabama. It’s...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    Phil Campbell Festival
    Phil Campbell Festival
    The Phil Campbell Festival was held June 20-21 at Memorial Park in downtown Phil Campbell. This year’s event featured performances by Jase Swinning, w...
    June 26, 2025
    Children meet animals during Weatherford Public Library event
    Children meet animals during Weatherford Public Library event
    RED BAY -- Children at the Weatherford Public Library got an up-close look at a variety of animals during an Animal Tales event that was part of the l...
    June 25, 2025
    Franklin EMA seeks grant to purchase scene light
    RUSSELLVILLE The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency is hoping to secure funding for a much-needed piece of equipment to improve nighttime eme...
    June 25, 2025
    Swann Brings new energy to Franklin County 4-H
    Swann Brings new energy to Franklin County 4-H
    RUSSELLVILLE Alicia Swann may be new to her role as Franklin County’s 4-H agent, but she’s no stranger to the community.A Hodges native, Swann stepped...
    June 25, 2025
    Argument leads to attempted arson charge
    Argument leads to attempted arson charge
    RED BAY — A Red Bay man is facing five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of attempted arson after he dumped gasoline throughout a residenc...
    June 25, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Franklin EMA seeks grant to purchase scene light
    RUSSELLVILLE The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency is hoping to secure funding for a much-needed piece of equipment to improve nighttime eme...
    June 25, 2025
    Calendar Of Events
    June 28 – Orange Baptist Church VBS,9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., one day only. 8153 Highway 34, Russellville. Theme: “Magnified.” Open to all ages.July 13–18 ...
    June 25, 2025
    Murray, 20, steps boldly into politics of Franklin County
    The adage he’s got some big shoes to fill takes on a whole new meaning for Grayson Murray.On Friday, Murray was officially sworn in as Franklin County...
    June 25, 2025
    Birthdays
    June 25Monica Hovater Stanley Tim Alford Truman Stanley Tiffany Hallman June 26Monica Hovater Stanley Brad Fuller Chris Fuller Kellie Hargett Jo White...
    June 25, 2025
    Red Bay ’24 audit indicates improved finances
    RED BAY – The city’s financial position continued to strengthen over the past year, according to the Fiscal Year 2024 audit.J.C. Johnson of The Sparks...
    June 25, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Belgreen’s Moore earns First Team All-State honors
    Belgreen’s Moore earns First Team All-State honors
    BELGREEN -- Jemma Moore has been named to the AHSAA First Team All-State for softball, becoming just the ninth player in school history to earn the di...
    June 18, 2025
    Maddox retires after 26 years of shaping young minds at RMS
    Maddox retires after 26 years of shaping young minds at RMS
    R U S S E L L V I L L E -- Teaching for Diane Maddox has never been just about grammar rules or reading comprehension, but rather about connection, cr...
    June 18, 2025
    Reynolds rebounds from knee injury, excels in baseball
    Reynolds rebounds from knee injury, excels in baseball
    REDBAY--TyReynolds hasn’t picked out the spot yet, but promises it will be a place of prominence, a semi-shrine for one item that shaped so much of hi...
    June 18, 2025
    ‘Sky’s the limit’ for Phil Campbell aviation program
    ‘Sky’s the limit’ for Phil Campbell aviation program
    PHIL CAMPBELL — Students at Phil Campbell High School recently had an unforgettable learning experience — one that lifted their studies to new heights...
    June 18, 2025
    Tournament raises $1,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation
    Tournament raises $1,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation
    Let us share your photos. Information should include the names of all people in the photo, the name of the photographer, and a brief explanation of th...
    June 11, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times