May is Mental Health Awareness Month

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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Today’s blog is written by Susan Rohan Hope Haven IPR (Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation) Practitioner 

May is Mental Health Awareness month.

As part of that I was asked to talk a little about both what is new in the world of mental health and what Hope Haven offers for mental health services. Let me introduce myself. My name is Susan Rohan and I work in the Spencer office as the Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner.

Firstly – Hope Haven has three mental health programs Key to Success IPS and Peer Support. 

Key to Success : A program that is designed to assist individuals with mental health struggles to obtain or recover successful and satisfying roles in their community.

IPS : An evidence-based practice of supported employment for persons with serious mental illness. IPS is different from other types of supported employment in that employment services to an individual are integrated with his/her mental health treatment.

Peer Support : Recovery mentors (people who are living well in their own recovery from mental illness) assist adults with mental illness on the journey of recovery by providing support through shared experience.

What is new in the realm of mental health? The resounding thought is “pandemic brain.”  We are living in a very different world than we were even a year ago. Research is being done on what the pandemic and social isolation have done to our minds and let’s be honest: the results are not surprising.  One article stated that our cognitive functioning has been drastically affected and we are less able to process both emotions and new information. 

We should take to heart that we are inherently social creatures and need to make time for building connections with others. Yet after a year of taking steps back from others doing online holidays with loved ones and not being able to attend our favorite events we are forgetting just how to do that. 

We will have to re-learn social connection and how to understand body language. How do we take the time to recognize our losses in the last year honor those feelings associated with our losses and re-build society to care for our neighbors? We need to care for each other ourselves and find ways to fill our own cups.

That way when we are all faced with the harsh reality of the world – we have the strength compassion and energy to carry on through the face of adversity and struggle.  We are stronger together when we honor each individual for their unique perspective. 

Mental Health Awareness month will come and go yet again this year. 

What will you do between this May and the next to bring awareness and understanding? I will continue to advocate for individuals learn and speak up when I see injustice. I will struggle with how to be the leader that is needed.  I will fail and then I will get back up with a deeper understanding a better perspective and new ideas on how I can be a light to others. 

And at the end of the day I will know that what I did was not perfect but it was done with care compassion and joy.  Good luck to you and I pray that these words have touched you in some way. 

– Susan Rohan IPR Practitioner Key to Success

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