The United Way of Hall County and its partners walked along Green Street in Gainesville Thursday morning to advocate for mental health awareness.
The event is a part of the “Hall Goes Green” initiative, which sees local businesses and organizations show their support for mental health awareness by displaying green lights and signage throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
The campaign is supported by the organization’s One Hall Health committee, which aims to provide resources for mental and physical health to the Hall County community. One Hall Health Chair Adam Raulerson explained on WDUN’s "Mornings on Maine Street" on Wednesday the importance of educating the community on the issue.
“One in five Americans are diagnosed with a mental health condition,” Raulerson said. “It's more prevalent than we like to admit, and those are just the ones we know about.”
The theme for 2025’s month is “Turn Awareness into Action,” emphasizing the importance of community for those who may be struggling with their mental health. The committee works in partnership with Northeast Georgia Health System, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hall County and the Ryan Joiner Foundation to bring the initiative to life.
Lauren Joiner Paul, Committee Chair for NAMI Hall and Board President of the Ryan Joiner Foundation, explained she was inspired to advocate for mental health through Hall Goes Green after losing her brother to suicide.
“I lost my brother Ryan in June 2022, and with his struggles that my family saw, we realized the need for that community,” Paul said.
The foundation was created in Ryan’s memory to provide spaces for those struggling with their mental health to meet with support groups. As the initiative enters its third year of reminding the community they are not alone, Thursday’s event on Green Street celebrates Mental Health Action Day.
“[The day] is about putting mental health to action,” Paul said. “So instead of awareness, we're doing something active in the community.”
Paul reminded community members who may be struggling with their mental health that 988, the suicide crisis line, is available to support those who reach out.
“It’s important to know that you're not alone in this experience, " Paul said. “ We all go through lots of different things, and we're not alone in that experience, and being with others is so important.”
