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Mental Health Awareness

Since 1949, Mental Health America, their affiliates, and countless others have observed May as Mental Health Month by reaching out to millions of people to spread the word that mental health is something everyone should care about. It’s a time to share information, stories, and resources, and we invite you to join us!  MHA’s 2023 Mental Health Month campaign is focused on how surroundings impact mental health, and we are calling for individuals to look around, look within.  This includes: Safe and Stable Housing, Healthy Home Environments, Neighborhoods and Towns, The Outdoors and Nature.

We’ll help people understand how these topics impact mental health, provide tips for actions people can take to change their surroundings in favor of their well-being, and suggestions for how to cope if change isn’t realistic.

More Information
View May Mental Health Calendar

Ely Wellness Fund

The Ely Wellness Fund is available to Ely area community members in need.  Contact a Pathways to Wellness Care Facilitator to find out more at 218-365-7929.

This fund was created by the Ely Community Care Team to help Ely community members address an immediate need.

Examples of the Wellness Fund in action:

  1. Purchasing medications while insurance or medication assistance applications are being processed.
  2. Transportation home from inpatient hospitalization because insurance helps transport to care but not always home.
  3. Items to support work with a mental health team such as a weighted blanket.
  4. Expenses to help families relocating to safe living situation.
  5. Items for to help senior and disabled residents safely stay in their home.

FREE Mental Health First Aid Training

Local Community Trainers

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Ryan Stewart, Ely Community Resource

Casey Mickelson, St. Louis County

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Emily Ferguson, Ely Behavioral Health Network

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.

The training gives you the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. More than 2.6 million people across the United States have been trained in MHFA by a dedicated base of more than 15,000 Instructors.

What It Covers

  • Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
  • Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
  • How to interact with a person in crisis.
  • How to connect a person with help.
  • Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.
    Ways to Learn
  • In-person – Learners will receive their training via an Instructor-led, in-person course.
  • Blended – Learners complete a self-paced online course and participate in an Instructor-led training. This Instructor-led Training can be:
    A video conference.
    An in-person class.

By scheduling training for your group during the month of May to occur within 12 months, your registration and materials will be FREE.  

Does your group work with mostly Adults (18+) or Youth?  

Examples of who makes a great group:

  • School Faculty
  • Summer Camp Staff
  • Police, Fire & EMS
  • Caregivers
  • Guide Services
  • Coaches
  • Parents

To Register your organization or group or get more information,  email Riana Hegman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.