CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Raising awareness for mental health: The Main Link 'Paints the Town Purple' in Towanda

Daily Review (Towanda, PA) - 5/9/2015

May 09--TOWANDA -- The Main Link hosted its 5th annual "Paint the Town Purple" event outside of the Bradford County Courthouse, Friday, in Towanda to raise awareness about mental health problems and help fight the stigma that comes with receiving mental health care.

Organizers Tara Arnold and Jen Smith both said they were happy with the turnout of citizens and supporters throughout the two hour event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. About 13 different mental health providers from the area set up tables to give locals information on the services they provide, Arnold said.

Mark Beauchemin, co-executive director of The Main Link, said the event was not just a huge benefit to those seeking mental health care, but for mental health providers.

"We get a chance to talk to other providers," Beauchemin said, adding that collaboration between mental health providers allows them to better serve the community.

Suicide rates in Bradford County are over one percent higher than the national average, at 13.74 percent, according to The Centers for Disease Control. The county is currently ranked 15th of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for suicide related deaths, a press release from The Main Link stated.

Rome resident Scott Mayers attended the event in honor of his son, Timm Mayers, who took his own life at just 18 years old approximately seven years ago. Mayers said since his son's death, and numerous other suicide related deaths of close friends, he has done what he can to help raise funding for suicide prevention programs in Bradford and Chemung counties.

"I hope the money I raise helps to get people the help they need," Mayers explained. "If it helps just one person, then it's all worth it."

Mayers said he has raised approximately $20,000 in five years through a golf tournament held in honor of his son. He said each year the tournament has grown larger and last year alone $7,000 was raised.

A flier for this year's upcoming Timm's Memorial Golf Tournament stated: "Suicide -- More common than you think, more preventable than you know."

Organizers of the event were quick to consider the day a success with sunny weather and a high turnout in mind.

"I'm very happy with how today turned out," Smith said, "I've worked on this day since February, making phone calls and reaching out to community organizations."

She said her involvement is helpful for her own recovery.

"It's great to get out and I feel like it has helped with my recovery," she said.

Purple could be seen throughout Main Street in Towanda Friday afternoon, with many pedestrians sporting purple tie-dyed T-shirts that were given away at the beginning of the event, and purple ribbons and balloons hanging from light poles and trees.

Tim Zyla can be reached at (570) 265-1639; or email: tzyla@thedailyreview.com.

___

(c)2015 The Daily Review (Towanda, Pa.)

Visit The Daily Review (Towanda, Pa.) at thedailyreview.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.