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Chalk the Walk hopes to spark honest conversations about mental health

Richmond Register - 9/10/2021

Sep. 10—Discussing mental health is not always easy. Sharing thoughts of negativity and doubt can be a dark, raw conversation to have.

That is why staff with the Baptist Health Richmond Behavioral Health Clinic hosted their third annual Chalk the Walk event Thursday, during the week of Sept. 5 through the 11, as part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

"Now, more than ever, we recognize the necessity to support mental health and wellness. Although we can't physically be together, we can utilize Chalk the Walk as a way to emotionally connect with one another and our community," said Katelyn Arvin, LPCC, Baptist Health Richmond, behavioral health clinical manager, in a release.

The event was hosted Thursday outside the North Entrance at the hospital for staff to draw on the sidewalks inspiring and truthful messages of hope to spark a conversation about mental health and wellness.

To accommodate for COVID-19, the event was held virtually, and those who wanted to participate could drive through the entrance to get their own chalk and share messages of hope at their business, home, or school.

"Of course I think everyone is wanting in-person gatherings back, I certainly do, but now more than ever, even if we can't gather in-person, we need to make sure we bring awareness to mental health and have a conversation in the community about mental health," Arvin told The Register.

Throughout Thursday, Arvin said there were many people of all ages and different agencies who came out to get chalk, including Case Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Madison County — an organization who advocates on behalf of abused or neglected children.

"It is really fortunate to see other places like that who deal with the health and wellness of others come out to participate and hopefully have that discussion," Arvin said.

She said while mental health needs no specific prompt for needing assistance, the past two years have been a big push for people interested in pursuing and accessing the services of the Behavioral Health Clinic.

"We have seen a lot of growth in the clinic, and we hope to accommodate the need with expanded and robust services to meet the needs of the community, which can be interpreted in many ways," she said.

Arvin said she believes there will be a ripple effect on mental health awareness because of COVID-19, which could positively affect the vital recognition of mental wellness.

"At Baptist Health Richmond, we hope to rise to the occasion," Arvin said.

To do just that, the behavioral care area was chosen to receive funds raised by the hospital's Pattie A. Clay Auxiliary Board through the PACA Charity Ball who chooses a care area to donate money to after their fundraising efforts.

"We plan to really acknowledge the ripple effect coming from COVID-19, substance abuse disorder, and really try to develop new services that don't really exist in this area and have better access," she said.

Arvin said she wants the behavioral services clinic to be available 24/7, 365 for anyone who wants to speak to a live clinician or therapist through emergency departments and be greeted by a staff member warmly who assists in a proper handoff into care they need with a solid plan set up for after discharge.

"We want to embellish and add to our services," she said. "After COVID, we all need that."

Arvin said the Chalk the Walk event is simply about sparking an honest conversation about mental health.

"It doesn't have to be pretty. Sometimes talking about mental health and wellness isn't about positive things, but they can be dark. But I really think we can end the stigma by embracing those conversations. As a community, we can back each other up, and I hope Baptist will provide resources people need in the day to come."

If you're having suicidal thoughts, Baptist Health Richmond's helpline is available to answer questions 24/7. Call 800.395.4435 to take the first step to find help.

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