For the rest of May, residents in the southwest suburbs – West Allis, Greenfield and West Milwaukee – may notice a meaningful message wrapped around their morning coffee: “Your story is still brewing. Stay.”
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Southwest Suburban Health Department and Rogers Behavioral Health announced in a May 4 news release that they will partner with local coffee shops and businesses to share messages of hope and support.
Alongside the message is information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential resource available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges or substance use concerns.
11,000 coffee sleeves were given to local coffee shops
In total, 11,000 coffee sleeves have been distributed to nine businesses and coffee shops across the three communities.
Nick Maniaci, a public health strategist, said the goal of the concept is simple: to remind people they are not alone and that help is always available.
“By partnering with local coffee shops, we’re able to meet people where they are and share a message that could make a real difference,” Maniaci said in the news release.
Where to find the coffee sleeves
The following businesses are participating:
Anyone can call or text 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org, to receive help.
For more information about local mental health resources, visit namisoutheastwi.org. To learn more about the Southwest Suburban Health Department, visit swshdwi.gov.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Coffee sleeves share mental health message across southwest suburbs
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
