Mental health is a common denominator for successful contributions to life and liberty. Moreover, people who do not have an awareness of mental health and consider mental health counseling or treatment as a taboo are more likely to commit illegal and damaging actions in their communities. This is why RI President, Gordon R. McInally has made it mental health a focus for 2023-24 across Rotary. “We have learned there is a willingness within communities to care for one another,” he says, “and we must ensure that we encourage people who have recently embraced the concept of volunteering to join us to allow them to continue giving service.”
The Rotary Club of Kirkland Downtown has embraced this idea by embarking on a project that will bring many community partners together. They are focusing on Behavioral Health (Mental Health with the stigma removed). The goal is to make existing behavioral health accessible to all in the city of Kirkland. To accomplish this the Kirkland Downtown Rotarians are working with Kirkland City Government, Evergreen Hospital, Police, Fire, businesses, and other charitable Kirkland based charities such as Fraternal Order of Eagles and Kiwanis, Union Gospel Mission and churches to identify points of where people in Kirkland can access their behavioral health needs.
The idea is for governments, Businesses, Hospitals, Churches, and other volunteer organizations to map out access to identification and alternatives for mental health care. This makes Rotary Club of Kirkland Downtown an ideal focal point for spearheading this effort in Kirkland. This is an excellent example of how Rotary, with its community partners, can make a real difference that impacts peoples lives that can bring them hope for the future.
As a result of Kirkland Downtown’s Rotarians, and Dr. Philip Smiley’s leadership, their work is gaining attention. The Greet Kirkland Magazine has asked the club to summarize their efforts in an article which they will publish in their May Mental Health Month Issue. This is a wonderful example of how people of action can Create Hope in the World!
