WILMETTE, IL — The Village of Wilmette has introduced Wellmette, a community-wide mental health awareness initiative designed to reduce stigma and connect residents with vital resources. The campaign, which carries the tagline “Mental Health Matters… You Matter,” aims to highlight the importance of mental well-being throughout the community.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 59.3 million U.S. adults—roughly 23.1% of the population—were living with a mental illness in 2022. Wilmette officials acknowledge that their community is no exception, underscoring the need for local awareness and support.
“The goal is to reduce the stigma around mental health and raise awareness about the resources that are available,” said Sara Phyfer, assistant to the village manager of Wilmette.
The campaign, running through May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, has been in development since June 2023. It was identified as a key initiative by Wilmette’s Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee—the same group that championed sustainability efforts in 2022, leading to the creation of the village’s sustainability coordinator role the following year.
Wilmette collaborated with Haven Youth and Family Services and The Family Service Center during the initial planning stages of Wellmette. Currently in its early phase, the campaign focuses on spreading awareness, with plans to highlight available mental health resources as it progresses.
While Wellmette will not feature its own dedicated events, it will promote existing community gatherings that incorporate mental health components. Another key element of the initiative includes sharing personal mental health journeys from Wilmette residents and business leaders.
Since its launch, the campaign has already received positive feedback from community members.
“I’ve gotten a couple of emails from people saying it made them really happy to see the village sharing these resources, and we’ve received encouraging responses on social media as well,” Phyfer noted.
As Wellmette gains momentum, Wilmette officials hope it will foster open conversations about mental health and ensure residents know they are not alone.
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