Facebook

Stress, uncertainty, and isolation have been experienced by so many the past two years. Each of these can take a toll on mental health. During this time, parks around the nation played a prominent role in maintaining physical and mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and provides ways to partner and connect with local agencies like Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery, Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health, NAMI Stark County, and the Canton Symphony Orchestra to help increase awareness and fight the stigma attached with mental illnesses.
Each Wednesday in May, we invite you to Petros Lake Park where mental health professionals will speak on various mental health topics. After the talk, experience the immediate benefits of nature on your mind and body by taking a self-guided hike through the Mindfulness Walk, a one-mile walk with activities related to mental health and self-care.

Depression
May 4, 6 p.m.
Join Mary Kreitz, from Child and Adolescent Health, as she speaks about Depression. Depression is more than just having a blue day, there are things people can do to fight off depression and support a loved one who is struggling with depression.

NAMI Stark, You are Not Alone
May 11, 6 p.m.
“NAMI Stark Cares: You Are Not Alone” NAMI Stark County, a local non-profit mental health organization, offers hope for recovery for persons & families impacted by mental illness.

Grief and Loss
May 18, 6 p.m.
Join Mary Kreitz, from Child and Adolescent Health, as she speaks about Grief and Loss. Over the past two years, many of us have experienced losses including loved ones. We have also experienced other types of losses including changes in our general way of life, loss of a community, or the end of a phase of life.

Mindful Monday: Gratitude Journal
May 23, 5 p.m.
Join Stark Parks in partnership with StarkMHAR for a guided mindfulness practice before journeying through the award-winning Mindfulness Walk. Brandice Schnabel from StarkMHAR will show how to utilize a gratitude journal and the ways that it can positively impact mental health.

Principals of Music Therapy
May 25, 5 p.m.
Music can be a tool for mindfulness and healing. It can be a way to escape or to dive deeper into memory and emotion. Join a trained music therapist as they explain with principles of music therapy and guide attendees in a group music making experience.

To register and learn more about the Mindfulness Walk visit: https://starkparks.com/mindfulnesswalk/