May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In observance of that, the Mental Health Support Group-Keweenaw Area is partnering with the Portage Lake District Library to host a public program at the library in downtown Houghton at 6 p.m. Wednesday May 8.

Brian Rendel, counseling and community health program director of the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation, will speak on 10 Habits for Healthy Brains.

"Mental health used to be a topic that made most people uncomfortable,” says Rendel. “Today, more and more people are experiencing mental health challenges and are seeking help. Stigma about getting help may be dropping, but many who want help do not know how to start.”

The Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is working to make mental health professionals available for informal consultation, to help people decide what kind of help makes sense for them and where to find it.

Rendel, who has more than 30 years of experience as a mental health professional, will explain why he has come to believe that mental health starts with basic brain health.

The Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is working on ways to empower anyone in our community who is ready to take steps to navigate mental health challenges, Rendel says. They also want to get the word out about what people can do to support their own brain health, which is strongly linked to mental wellbeing.

“This topic may interest anyone wanting to reach their potential and lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life,” says Rendel.

Preceding his talk, representatives from Keweenaw area mental health groups will give an update on their activities. The groups include Unite Mental Health and Wellness, Copper Country Community Mental Health, Keweenaw Support 4 Healthy Minds, Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Mental Health Support Group-Keweenaw Area.

The program is free and all are welcome.  For more information, contact the Mental Health Support Group-Keweenaw Area at MHSGKA@aol.com.