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Above: Clubhouse Manager Derek Olson stands in front of the Upward Bound collection of resources. Upward Bound is located at 104 E. 5th St. in Fairmont. Available at

FAIRMONT – This past week was National Mental Illness Awareness Week, and during the week, clubhouses affiliated with the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCBI) introduced a series of daily activities aimed at improving mental well-being and mental awareness. Pain. This includes the Upbound 5th Street Express, a resource center in Fairmont for adults struggling with mental illness.

Both Alex Langsjoen, regional health manager at SCCBI, and Derek Olson, co-ordinator of the Upward Bound Clubhouse, emphasized the importance of awareness in effectively treating mental illness.

“There are people everywhere so it’s okay to reach out for help. There are neighbors, there are family members and friends.” said Langsjoen.

“Mental health… affects everyone to some degree or another. It affects some people more than others, and there are things we can do to improve our mental health and make it easier for people who suffer from various mental illnesses. Derek said.

According to data from the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults lives with a mental illness, and 5.6 percent of adults have a severe mental illness that causes severe functional impairment.

“It’s similar to a physical disability; They’re not defined by that, you’re not defined by your ability to do something or your disability.” said Langsjoen.

At Upward Bound, Olsen works to provide appropriate support for people struggling with illness both inside and outside the organization. Upward Bound provides a place for people struggling with mental illness to meet others with similar issues and participate in a program that improves their well-being.

“People know they can come down and this is a safe place to get support.” Derek said.

“It’s better than sitting at home and thinking about things. If we come down here, we can do things to take our minds off it for a while. said Gloria Olsen, one of the members of Upward Bound.

Most of the top-rated activities for Mental Illness Awareness Week focus on areas of personal well-being, such as regular exercise or decluttering one’s workplace.

“These are things that everyone should be doing, but targeting something specific to tackle each day will help improve their mental health in the long term.” Derek said.

Other activities on Upward Bound’s October calendar include game nights, crafts and a shopping trip to Mankato. In addition to these activities, Upward Bound has other resources for members such as computers and a recreation room.

“There are a lot of members who didn’t have a lot of friends before they came down to the development center, but they were able to make friends and build a support system.” Derek said.

When someone needs help with mental health, Langsjoen recommends contacting their county health agencies first.

“They are mental health officials throughout the state of Minnesota. They are a safety net for people who cannot afford care or coverage. said Langsjoen.

If county health agencies cannot provide appropriate help for people struggling with mental illness, they can make referrals to organizations that can.