Make It OK

NOW is the time to start talking about mental illness. Are you ready to help Make It OK?

friends awkward at bbq due to mental illness speech bubble

mental illness is as common as silver cars

About Make It OK

Did you know mental illnesses are as common as silver cars and brown eyes? Yet the stigma prevents many people from seeking help.

Make It OK is a community campaign aimed at reducing stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. The goal is to help everyone in our community learn, talk, and share about mental illness and local resources like Peace River Center’s 24-hour Emotional Support and Crisis Line, 863.519.3744.

Made possible by HealthPartners, Inc. this campaign has gained traction in Minnesota and Iowa, helping to reduce stigma and start meaningful conversations.

Now YOU can help by having Peace River Center present to your church or civic group or sharing about mental illness on social media. Email us to request a 30-minute Make It OK presentation.

What is stigma?

Stigma: a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that society has about something. Mental illness stigma can happen in a variety of ways–telling someone to “toughen up” or “snap out of it.” It can even be silence. Stigma can be used to blame someone for being lazy, “crazy” or attention-seeking.

Too often, stigma can cause people with a mental illness to feel ashamed. The stigma can cause them to hide or not seek help for this treatable medical condition.

Mental illnesses can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, religion, or income. Unfortunately, because of misunderstanding, negative attitudes, shame, and fear of discrimination, a lot of people are still afraid to talk about their mental illness. That’s why it’s so important for us to change that, it’s essential for us to Make It OK.

Stories of what stigma looks like

man looking upset or unsure

Key Messages

The goal of Make It OK is to help everyone in our community learn, talk, and share. Flip the boxes below to learn more.

It’s OK to have a mental illness — many people do. It’s a common, treatable medical condition.

It’s OK to talk about mental illness — talking makes people feel less alone.

It’s OK to get help with mental illness — life can get better.

Learn

Join Peace River Center as we educate ourselves and others about the stigma around mental illness and the damage it can do. By breaking down that stigma, people with mental illnesses will feel safe to talk about them and will find it easier to ask for help in finding treatment and resources.

Talk

It is important to talk about mental illness in ways that are supportive and open. Make It OK offers great tips on what to say and what not to say, as well as hurtful language to avoid.

Through Make It OK Peace River Center will provide residents with the resources to reduce stigma and begin conversations about mental illness. With your help, more people will begin their mental illness recovery journey.

What a mental illness is…and is not.

Mental illnesses impact all sorts of people from all walks of life. They are common medical conditions disrupting a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Mental illness can be caused by a variety of things including trauma, genetics, and chemical or biochemical changes in the brain.

It’s important to note mental illnesses are not character flaws. They are not imaginary and not something to “get over.” People cannot will (or pray) their way out of a mental illness; similar to diabetes they are medical conditions that require treatment.

The great news is though most mental illnesses can be treated effectively with medication, therapy, diet, exercise, and support. Recovery is possible.

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Words Matter

Do Say

“Thanks for opening up to me.”
“How can I help?”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It must be tough.”
“I’m here for you when you need me.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“How are you feeling today?”

Don’t Say

“It could be worse.”
“Just deal with it.”
“Snap out of it.”
“Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
“Maybe try thinking happier thoughts.”

Ways You Can Help Make It OK

Schedule a MIO Presentation Download the MIO Toolkit Share On Social

Take the Pledge

Will you pledge to join the conversation and stop the silence? Take our electronic Make It OK pledge. Then visit our social media channels to see your pledge and others’ pledges. Click here to download a PDF version you can print. Be sure to share it on social media and tag us or use #MakeItOKprc.

I Pledge To Graphic text

Make It Ok Pledge

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Why I'm taking the Make It OK Pledge...

LEARN more about mental illnesses.

TALK openly with others about mental illnesses.

SHARE with others, encouraging them to learn more and also take the pledge.

Download a Pledge Card

Resources

diverse hands together with together for mental health in white green background

Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

April 13, 2023

Conversations Tips

May 1, 2021

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You can make a difference.

By supporting Peace River Center, you’ll be helping us make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve. Whether it’s a small gift or some of your spare time, you’re contributing to our goal: to help build emotional wellness in our communities.

Donate Today!

You can make a difference.

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