JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The St. Elmo W. Acosta Bridge, which spans the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, is lit up green in honor of National Mental Health Month.

National Mental Health Month is observed in May to help raise awareness and advocate for improvements to the nation’s mental health care system.

Mental health professional Desiree Jones says people need help, compassion and hope.

Its foundation, Step by step to get help hosts the Shades of Green Award for Excellence in Mental Health Sunday at the Shultz Center with the Superintendent of Duval County Schools, Dr. Diana GreenePresident of the UNF, Dr. Richmond Wynn and author, Trey Shepard. They will recognize some of Jacksonville’s unsung heroes who work in mental health. Jones says amid the pandemic, they’ve seen an increase in anger, depression and anxiety, mostly in children. And with increased financial pressure on many families across the country, they also face an increase in needed adult services.

Jones believes that prevention and intervention are essential. The Step by Step for Help Foundation aims to help reduce mental health stigma.

“I wish we would start talking about mental health like we talk about different topics in hair salons and hair salons,” Jones said. “If we could normalize mental health like we do for all these other physical illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes, we’d be much better off.”

His non-profit organization is hosting an event called The Longest Table on Saturday, May 21 at 10696 Lem Turner Road in the Family Dollar parking lot.

More than 20 community resource providers will be on hand to provide much-needed assistance to underserved communities.