A woman posts positive signs: ‘We need more mental health awareness’

“I love the rain,” Newport resident Jennifer Ortiz said when a sudden summer storm announced the arrival of thunderstorms. She stood near a four-way intersection in the city, holding her signs covered in messages of hope and encouragement. “It often rains when I stand out with the signs. It’s hot here, and I feel like the rain is telling me to know that God is for me.”

For the past two months, Ortiz has been hand-writing signs throughout Perry County with positive messages such as “Your mental health issues,” “You’re not alone” and “Reach through.”

“There are quite a few in Duncannon, Landsburg, Loysville and Dauphin,” Ortiz said. “Sometimes they come down, and I turn them around after the weather changes. Wherever God leads me, He will call me what to put them and where to put them.”

Ortiz was inspired to start showing signs of her own mental-health journey. “Actually, I was making a therapy appointment on my phone one day, and I remember mentioning that I wanted to put mental health awareness signs up there, and that’s how it started.

“I meet a lot of people, and a lot of things I come up with I want to hear myself. It’s just how I feel about everyone. We are all worthy, we are all important. We need more mental health awareness.

“I want people to be the best version of themselves and have hope that they can help others around them. When I’m struggling and helping others, it helps me at the same time.”

She began her efforts in Newport. “When I first started, that was a big sign, because I came out here and caught them. One day I put up the sign near Newport’s Four Roads and it stayed up for weeks. Since then, she says she’s made 300 signs, some of which are replacements for old and weather-damaged signs. Ortiz works alone most of the time, though her daughter sometimes helps.

Her message did not go unnoticed. Newport Mayor Robert Campbell said, “Jenny’s signs bring a positive message to everyone. Everyone is included and can benefit from her positive attitude. “It’s a pleasure to have Jenny as a Newport resident,” he said.

Ortiz’s joy is seeing how the signs affect their community. “Some people see the sign and get a pep in their step,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they give up until they see the signs and things like that. There were times when I thought I shouldn’t do it, but God always gave me a sign that I should.

“All it takes is one person,” she said. “I know I’ve driven down the road feeling lonely, and I wish I’d seen a sign. We are all important and we are all worthy. I’m not trying to be professional; I just love everyone. I know how I feel in different situations.

Perry County will partner with Cumberland County to provide mental health services to residents. Cumberland-Perry offers a variety of services to those seeking care for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, including both crisis intervention and case management programming. The case management program helps patients struggling to access and receive care and provides support for those working toward recovery.

Individuals seeking non-crisis mental health services may contact one of the MH.IDD case management units at Penn State Holy Spirit Hospital at 717-763-2219 or the Meraki Stevens Center at 717-243-6033. When you call any place, ask for a drink and they’ll have more directions.

On July 16, Pennsylvania introduced the 988 Lifeline, which allows anyone to easily dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the line is free to use and open 24/7. It can be used by anyone seeking support during a suicidal, mental or behavioral health or substance abuse crisis.

If another person’s behavior is concerning, call 911 if there is a medical emergency, or if the person is threatening or violent. If the behavior is not immediately dangerous, call the Crisis Intervention Lifeline at 988.