PADUCAH — Four Rivers Behavioral Health aimed to break stigmas at its Art For Healing Auction and Wellness Event on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Mugs on display at the auction.
The event was held from 10 a.m., to 2 p.m., featuring a live painter, face and pumpkin painting, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a live and silent auction.
“We got a lot of community partners with us today, and we’re just looking for a big crowd to come on down and get some art,” said organizer and vice president of clinical services at Four Rivers Behavioral Health, Thelma Hunter.
Hunter said the goal of the event is to break the stigma around mental health and substance use disorders.
Four Rivers Behavior Health is located at 425 Broadway St., in Paducah.
“[We want] to take away some of the stigma and let everyone know that we’re here for anyone who needs us. We’re the safety net of the community, and we can have fun and be in recovery,” Hunter said.
Max Grantham, the auctioneer for the live auction and the site coordinator at CenterPoint Recovery Center for Men, explained that his recovery story is why he was helping at the event today.
“Four Rivers Behavioral Health is really close to my heart. Of course, I work for them, but I’m also a person in long-term recovery — 17 years sober. It all started with the help of Four Rivers Behavioral Health,” Grantham said. “It’s just a way to give back to the community, and like Thelma said, raise awareness that it’s OK to have a problem as long as you can address that problem. We’re here to help people address that problem.”
Creative artworks on display at the auction.
Like Grantham, Jontavius Beard was another attendee willing to share his recovery story with others.
“We just like to give back and have fun. In recovery, you can still have fun regardless,” Beard said.
All proceeds from the event will go back towards Four Rivers Behavioral Health to bring services to those in need.
The auction featured a variety of art on canvas.
“There’s going to be a lot of changes in Medicaid coming up, and a lot of people are going to lose Medicaid benefits. We want to be able to help them with that so they can get the services that they need,” Hunter said. “We just want everyone to know that it’s OK to have a mental illness. It’s OK to have a substance use disorder. You can still be supported and have a great time among people who care about you.”
Source: www.wpsdlocal6.com
