More focus on mental health since the pandemic

May is Mental health Awareness Month

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Mental Health Awareness Month card, May. Vector illustration. EPS10

Airdate: Thursday, May 19, 2022

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Thursday is National Mental Health Action Day.

Experts estimate one in five Americans experience a mental illness each year. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased anxiety, stress, loneliness, panic attacks and more. As a result, more people have focused on their mental health and perhaps that has lessened some of the stigma attached to mental health.

That stigma has often kept those suffering from mental illness from seeking treatment or getting help.

UPMC is offering a free mindfulness seminar Friday designed to provide tools to alleviate stress and anxiety.

Dr. Matthew Hurford, Vice President of Behavioral Health at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Insurance Services Division is on Thursday’s Smart Talk with more information about mental health.