By Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS, a mental health nonprofit serving Virginia

Thanks to years of public outreach and education, our culture is much more aware of mental health issues and more willing than ever to openly discuss them. But with 1 in 5 adults experiencing a mental health issue each year and less than half receiving help, there is still room for improvement. That’s why we put extra emphasis on mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Throughout May, it’s a time to focus on our own mental health and those around us. As the head of a nonprofit that focuses on mental health, it’s also a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made as a culture in recognizing that mental health is a critical component of overall wellness. The stigma around acknowledging and speaking about mental health issues continues to fade. However, we must continue to push forward because improving mental health changes and saves lives and strengthens communities.

According to Mental Health America, more than half of people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime.  Having the tools, insight, and acceptance to get help will ensure better outcomes for ourselves and other people in our lives.  Here are some ways you can help:

1. Self-Care—Start by helping yourself.

• Eat well
• Get enough sleep
• Set goals and priorities
• See friends
• Exercise

2. Recognize the Signs—Mental health issues are not always easy to recognize. Here are a few signs to be aware of:
   • Excessive worrying or fear
   • Feeling abnormally sad or low
   • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
   • Extreme mood changes
   • Avoiding friends and social activities
   • Thoughts of suicide

3. Educate—One of the biggest ways to help is to make sure loved ones and friends know there is a quick way to connect: 988, the new three-digit number to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that links people with trained crisis counselors. PRS answers 988, along with regional crisis lines, for most of Virginia—including Northern Virginia—and is also a national 988 back-up center and 988 chat/text center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  If someone in crisis reaches out, trained PRS crisis counselors will provide emotional support and work collaboratively with the caller, chatter or texter and community partners, when appropriate, to connect them to services and resources.

4. Volunteer—Community mental health nonprofits have many volunteer needs, such as organizing fundraisers and drives, helping clients and workers, answering hotline calls, and more.

5. Donate—Ensuring more people get the help they need to overcome mental health challenges requires funding and donating to mental health nonprofits helps us meet critical needs.

Let’s celebrate our progress this May.  Do so by prioritizing mental health for yourself, your loved ones, and the community.

Established in 1963, PRS is a community-based nonprofit that provides skills training and supports to adults living with serious mental illness in Northern Virginia. PRS has grown to be a leader and innovator in the “recovery” model of rehabilitation, which tailors services to each individual’s needs and goals. Today, PRS serves over 800 persons yearly with a variety of rehabilitation services designed to facilitate clients’ recovery from mental illness and assist them in achieving satisfying and productive community lives. With Centers in McLean and Mt. Vernon, and residential sites throughout Northern Virginia, PRS offers day programs, employment services, residential services and home-based support services. For more information about PRS, please visit their website at www.prsinc.org.

Oakton, VA (May 12, 2023)— PRS 3rd annual golf tournament hosted by The Alliance Group, CBRE, and Cassaday & Company on May 8th raised more than $83,000 to benefit the mental health nonprofit’s Outpatient Therapy Program. The event, held during Mental Health Awareness Month, brought in 32% more than last year when it raised $63,000.

“We are grateful to our generous–and fun—business community that understands the importance of mental health for our community. We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of Alliance, CBRE, and Cassaday & Co for helping connect us with these businesses. Their generosity and leadership are making it possible for more people to have access to our life-saving and life-changing programs,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, PRS.  “Bringing local business leaders together encourages even more dialogue and movement to create a healthier community.”

More than 110 golfers participated in the tournament. Held at Westwood Golf Club in Vienna, the event featured 18 holes, a cocktail reception, and speakers, including two PRS clients, who shared their stories of recovery. As a nonprofit providing mental health, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to thousands across Virginia and beyond, PRS and its services are needed more than ever. This year’s funds are creating more capacity for PRS’ Outpatient Therapy Program, which provides individualized, person-centered therapy to adolescents ages 15 to 18, adults, and families to assist them with making changes to support growth and managing behavioral health conditions.

Along with Alliance, CBRE and Cassady & Company, over 30 organizations and individuals sponsored the event, including Rob Sturm, The Building People, FloQast, Blue Halo, Unanet, BlueHalo, West 4^th Strategy, McGriff Insurance, Cloudforce, The Avis Family, IntelliBridge, Chainbridge Technologies, NT Concepts, National Technology Integrators: NTI, The Riddle Family, Bart & Associates, Bognet Construction, Clark Construction, CAN, DPR, HITT, JBG, Millennium Corp, Paul McQuillan, PRS Board of Directors, Tarkett, The Meridian Group, UKG, Ridgeline International, Copper River, Semfin, Evans Consulting, Capital HR Advisors, SpeedPro Northern Virginia.

About PRS, Inc.

PRS is a leading nonprofit helping those living with serious mental health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence and self-sufficiency. PRS provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through programs such as: Recovery Academy Day Programs and Community Readiness Support Program, Community Support Services, Employment Services, Peer Support Services, Community Housing, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink—a 24/7 phone, text and chat hotline. www.prsinc.org. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call 988. For 24/7 chat support, visit 988lifeline.org/chat.