Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness
This year Sheldon House will be hosting a week-long virtual Break the Stigma experience from October 5th through 9th! Each day during that week, attendees will be sent information, resources, and inspiring videos. The main event will be a special panel presentation on Wednesday, October 7th.
Break the Stigma is an annual event organized by Sheldon House to raise mental health awareness and funds to support the work of Sheldon House. We believe that with knowledge and understanding of mental illness, the stigma will be reduced. We believe that anyone living with a mental illness in Kent County should have access to the support and resources provided by Sheldon House.
Every year, an estimated 130,000 people struggle with their mental health here in Kent County. That’s one in five. This year, as we face a pandemic those with mental illness are disproportionately impacted. Isolation and loneliness are common challenges for those living with mental illness. The pandemic has made those challenges greater.
Thankfully, Sheldon House has been here to support, engage, and reach out. As one of our members recently stated, “Social isolation or distancing should not remove us from our relationships nor our community supports. Humans need acceptance, love and support even more so right now during this stressful situation. Sheldon House allows this for myself and my colleagues."
What You Have to Look Forward to:
Monday, Oct 5th – Check your inbox for Kick Off Information! Enclosed will be an overview of the week ahead, information on mental illness and stories from our members about how Sheldon House impacts their lives.
Tuesday, Oct 6th – An email sent to will include a special screening of our Break the Stigma video. We ask that you take the time to watch this on Tuesday, in advance of the live, virtual event on the morning on October 7th.
Wednesday, Oct 7th – Join us on Facebook for a live virtual Panel Presentation at 8:00am! On the morning of October 7th, grab your breakfast, check your email and click the link to our Facebook page Live Event!
Please visit the Sheldon House Facebook page today to like and follow our page.
Thursday, Oct 8th – On Thursday, meet several of our members through personal stories arriving in your email. Learn about the variety of programs helping members reach their goals.
Friday, Oct 9th – Open your inbox and find a special week-end wrap up! The email will include ways that you can Break the Stigma of mental illness!
Don’t be left out! Make sure we have your email. Send a quick note to taravandyke@cherryhealth.com
Break the Stigma is an annual event organized by Sheldon House to raise mental health awareness and funds to support the work of Sheldon House. We believe that with knowledge and understanding of mental illness, the stigma will be reduced. We believe that anyone living with a mental illness in Kent County should have access to the support and resources provided by Sheldon House.
Every year, an estimated 130,000 people struggle with their mental health here in Kent County. That’s one in five. This year, as we face a pandemic those with mental illness are disproportionately impacted. Isolation and loneliness are common challenges for those living with mental illness. The pandemic has made those challenges greater.
Thankfully, Sheldon House has been here to support, engage, and reach out. As one of our members recently stated, “Social isolation or distancing should not remove us from our relationships nor our community supports. Humans need acceptance, love and support even more so right now during this stressful situation. Sheldon House allows this for myself and my colleagues."
What You Have to Look Forward to:
Monday, Oct 5th – Check your inbox for Kick Off Information! Enclosed will be an overview of the week ahead, information on mental illness and stories from our members about how Sheldon House impacts their lives.
Tuesday, Oct 6th – An email sent to will include a special screening of our Break the Stigma video. We ask that you take the time to watch this on Tuesday, in advance of the live, virtual event on the morning on October 7th.
Wednesday, Oct 7th – Join us on Facebook for a live virtual Panel Presentation at 8:00am! On the morning of October 7th, grab your breakfast, check your email and click the link to our Facebook page Live Event!
Please visit the Sheldon House Facebook page today to like and follow our page.
Thursday, Oct 8th – On Thursday, meet several of our members through personal stories arriving in your email. Learn about the variety of programs helping members reach their goals.
Friday, Oct 9th – Open your inbox and find a special week-end wrap up! The email will include ways that you can Break the Stigma of mental illness!
Don’t be left out! Make sure we have your email. Send a quick note to taravandyke@cherryhealth.com
2020 Event Sponsor
Why is it important?
Why is Sheldon House a critical resource?
- Mental Illness is common. 1 in 5 people will struggle with a mental illness at some point in their life. Mental illness is currently more prevalent than cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
- Unmet needs. Currently Medicaid is the only insurance that covers Clubhouse programming. With the prevalence of mental illness in our community, we know that we are not addressing the needs of our community.
- As evident from the results of the 2017 Kent County Needs Assessment, mental health is a priority core health issue for those that live in Kent County. As a result of the Kent County Needs Assessment, mental health was selected as a priority health issue for focus on in the 2018 Community Health Improvement Planning process.
- People with mental illness are among the most marginalized, oppressed, devalued and stigmatized populations in our society. Through participation in the tasks that it takes to run the Clubhouse and the availability of resources, members find worth and value in themselves. Members are seen as more than someone with a mental health diagnosis but instead someone with potential and worth.
Why is Sheldon House a critical resource?
- Sheldon House, is a Clubhouse program that offers life changing opportunities and support for those living with mental illness in Kent County.
- With the help of professional staff, Sheldon House uses an international, evidence based approach.
- Offers members opportunity to belong, contribute to community, receive support, gain skills, obtain employment, pursue their education and build a support system, to move forward in their recovery.
- Located in the second largest city in Michigan and serving all of Kent County, Sheldon House is one of the largest Clubhouse programs in the state and a leader in the model.
- Membership in Sheldon House has been proven to reduce hospitalizations, incarcerations, increase employment opportunities and increase overall quality of life, for those living with mental illness.
- Sheldon House is cost effective. On average, one year of Sheldon House membership can be provided at the same cost as one average hospital stay.