Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce

May/June 2023

Connect

Creative

Hello Friends,

In this issue of Connect, we decided to focus on an issue that is more serious than our normal topics but one that we are all faced with daily--Mental Health. Mental health affects everyone from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. Each person experiences mental health differently. Mental health is a concern for all of us and one of the greatest things we can do as a society to help heal is to talk about it. We need to discuss it in our homes, around the dinner table as we talk about our day, with friends over a glass of wine. Have you ever had a friend that you were just worried about? Something just “seemed off”? Don’t ignore the warning signs. We all try to mask our problems and worries but friendship is a crucial element in protecting our mental health. I don’t know about you, but my friends and family keep me grounded, help me keep things in perspective, and help me manage life’s problems when they get too big for me to carry on my own. Pay attention to your family and friends and always know that someone is here to help and listen.

Contributors

We have so many resources right here in Angelina County. Did you know that if you are in a crisis, feeling suicidal, or not sure what is wrong, you can call 988? A trained medical professional will answer the line and help lead you to the help you might need. Whether it is to Ocean’s Behavioral, The Burke, a licensed counselor, or the emergency room. They are on call 24 hours a day. You can also hear from some great resources this month speaking on this issue on our Connect Podcast. My co-host, Blake Pollino with BP Media, and I sit down and discuss resources that we have available for East Texans. The Connect Podcast is available on all podcatchers.

Burt Hairgrove

Tara Hendrix Amanda Powell

Slow down and take a moment to familiarize yourself with the resources we are blessed to have in our neck of the woods and always know that there is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. Glenn Close once said, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation about an illness that affects not only individuals but their families as well.”

You are NOT alone.

Blessings,

Tara Watson-Watkins President / CEO