Community shows compassion through awareness events

Editorial: With September rolling in, Franklin County organizations have strived to let people in unfortunate circumstances know they are not alone.
September marks both Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and National Recovery Awareness Month. Both are geared towards those who suffer from mental illness, addiction and impossible obstacles in their lives.
Our community has embraced both causes, with Franklin General Hospital hosting a Suicide Awareness Walk and Celebrate Recovery hosting its first Recovery Rally last week.
Both events emphasized that suicide, addiction and suffering from personal struggles are very real and prominent issues in the community. These events have both let people in these circumstances know that resources exist in the community, but have also given those people a chance to tell their stories.
These conversations are important because everyone is human. Everyone experiences personal struggles and times of hopelessness. By sharing stories and hearing people talk openly about topics some would prefer kept quiet, we can open a dialogue about mental illness, addiction and everything in between. What a dialogue does, in turn, is help people feel comfortable talking about their own struggles and feeling comfortable seeking help if needed.
The resources to help people in those situations exist within our county. Individuals who want to help people in those situations exist within our county. And as displayed by events so far this month, compassion exists within our county.

Hampton Chronicle

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Hampton, IA 50441
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