Shining Teal: Celebrating Counseling Awareness Month in Rapid City & Breaking Down Stigma
Shining teal to reduce mental health stigma in Rapid City. Foundations Counseling LLC supports Counseling Awareness Month.
Hey Rapid City! April is Counseling Awareness Month, and on the 11th, we're all about Teal Day—shining a light on the incredible work counselors do in our community. I wanted to take a moment to really reflect on what this month means to me and to all of us at Foundations Counseling LLC.
You know, when I look back on my career, I'm filled with so much gratitude. First off, to our clients. You all are the heart of what we do. Your courage, your vulnerability, your willingness to work towards a better life—that's what keeps me going. It's a privilege to walk alongside you on your journeys.
And then there are the people who've supported me. My mentors, my colleagues, my family… they've been my rocks. They've cheered me on, picked me up when I stumbled, and reminded me why this work is so important. Honestly, I wouldn't be here without them.
And speaking of support, I want to give a huge shoutout to our incredible team here at Foundations Counseling LLC. You all are the best. Your dedication, your compassion, your unwavering commitment to our clients—it inspires me every day. I'm honored and so grateful to have you as colleagues.
Rapid City's mental health champions: The Foundations Counseling LLC team, dedicated to healing and hope this Counseling Awareness Month.
Counseling Awareness Month isn't just about celebrating us counselors, though. It's about recognizing the power of counseling to transform lives and communities. It's about raising awareness of mental health and breaking down those stigmas that keep people from seeking help. And you know what? That stigma is real. It can be that little voice in your head telling you that you’re weak, that you should be able to handle things on your own. But let me tell you something: reaching out for help takes courage, not weakness.
I'm thinking about the theme this year, "Counseling: A Path to Healing and Hope." That really hits home. We see it every day—how counseling provides a safe space for people to heal from trauma, build resilience, and discover their inner strength. It's about planting seeds of hope and watching them grow. It’s an incredible process.
And on Teal Day, I want to encourage all of you who know a counselor to reach out. Ask them about their work. Express your gratitude. A simple "thank you" can mean the world. And if you're a counselor reading this, I want to say thank you to you too.
This job isn't always easy. We carry a lot, we hear a lot, and we give a lot. But you know what? It's worth it. You make a real difference in people's lives. And that's something to be proud of. Keep up to the good work!
Now, for those of you who might be struggling, who've never tried counseling, but are curious… I want to speak to you folks directly. You might have some preconceived notions about what counseling is like. Maybe you think it's just talking about your feelings, or that it's only for people with "serious" problems. But let me tell you, it's so much more than that.
Counseling is a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings, to gain new perspectives, and to develop the tools you need to live a more fulfilling life. It's about building a solid foundation for your mental health. It’s your responsibility - your efforts and your wins along the path can be so rewarding. And we, as licensed professional counselors, are here to help empower you to do that.
Don't let your biases get in the way of seeking help. Tap into your courage and reach out. Get firsthand knowledge about what a licensed professional counselor can do to help you. It is what we love to do.
So, this Teal Day, let's shine bright. Let's celebrate the power of counseling to bring healing and hope to our community. And let's remember to take care of ourselves, too. We can't pour from an empty cup, right? We need to recharge, connect with our support systems, and practice what we teach.
To all the counselors out there in Rapid City, keep doing what you're doing. You're making a difference. And to everyone in our community, let's keep the conversation about mental health going. Let's keep shining teal and keepin’ it real.
