(ABC 6 News) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Saturday in Rochester to celebrate the launch of an innovative mental health awareness sign project.

According to a press release, this was a partnership between Olmsted County Public Health and one of two 2024 cohorts of the Leadership Greater Rochester program.

The ceremony took place on the Rochester campus of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the dedication at noon.

A key component of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greater Rochester program is the Community Impact Project, which challenges participants to turn their ideas into sustainable actions that meet community needs. This year’s cohort chose to focus on mental health awareness in Olmsted County, which has been identified as a top priority for health improvement.

On Saturday, the group celebrated the installation of the first sign on Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Rochester campus with plans for five additional signs at parks in Bryon, Stewartville, Oronoco and Rochester.

Each sign highlights the important benefits of spending time outdoors to improve mental health and well-being and is carefully designed to reflect the diversity of Olmsted County’s population, with content available in English, Spanish and Somali.

In addition to mental health messages, each sign includes a QR code that directs users to the Credible spirit website. This resource, launched by Olmsted County Public Health in December 2023, offers a wealth of mental health content, self-assessments and local community resources, further supporting individuals seeking wellness assistance and guidance. -being and mental health.

“We believe mental health awareness is crucial to building a healthier community,” said Shaylene Baumbach, health promotion manager at Olmsted County Public Health. “Through this collaboration with Leadership Greater Rochester, we hope to encourage residents to enjoy the outdoors and recognize its positive impact on mental well-being.” »