Breaking the stigma around mental health at LCCC

2822 News Joe Mason

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)-- A local community college is taking a unique approach to tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Stop the stigma, start the support; That was the message at Luzerne County Community College on Tuesday.*

The college hosted a talk-show style forum focused on mental health and substance use. Chelsea Bresnahan hosted the event.

"I think the biggest takeaways from today's conversation involve being open, being honest, holding yourself accountable, and not comparing yourself to other people," Bresnahan stated.

The event featured stories from those who have lived through the struggles of addiction and mental illness.

The one common theme among all of them: the importance of a strong support system.

"If it weren't for having such a supportive family, like my aunt Sue, I wouldn't have been able to get into treatment," forum participant, Rick Frey, said.

"Most of the time, people in active addiction or struggling with mental health are isolated, and so, the opposite of addiction is connection, and I think that is so important for people to be involved in the community and to feel that they have that support," Danielle Castrigano, a forum participant, added.

28/22 News spoke to two of the participants and asked them the same question: What do you say to those who are currently struggling.

"It's okay. It's okay to ask for help. You know, in that moment of vulnerability is when you're going to find that first step to take the power," expressed Frey.

"There's a way out, you know, you don't need to continue on that chaotic cycle of addiction and mental health. You can break free," Castrigano stated.

Students and faculty participated in trivia games and checked out raffle and community resources tables with additional information.