RivCo Buildings Lime Green for Mental Health Month

INDIO – As of Wednesday evening, March 6, two county buildings in Riverside and Indio were illuminated lime green, the official color of mental health awareness, as part of Riverside County’s month‑long observance of May as Mental Health Month.

The buildings are: the Riverside County Administration Center in Riverside, 4080 Lemon St., and the Workforce Development Center in Indio, 44-199 Monroe St.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez notes that this comes at a crucial time as many people who may be stressed or anxious are able to find support and hope in the services provided by Riverside County’s behavioral health department.

“I appreciate that Behavioral Health is always there for our community, and especially now,” Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a prepared statement. “We have to proclaim every single day that there is hope. I want to recognize and commend our entire Behavioral Health staff, the nonprofits that advocate for mental health awareness, our Behavioral Health Commission and Desert Region Behavioral Health Advisory Board, and all the families we serve who are an inspiration to us.”

While the coronavirus response has prompted adjustments such as temporarily closing offices to in-person visits, Riverside County’s behavioral health department has continued to provide therapy and case management to assist consumers and has recently launched a number of services to reach out to the community.

For instance, the department is supporting health care workers, first responders and any essential staff with 24/7 individual coaching and counseling and live video support groups, which are available by calling 951-955-7015. A listing of more behavioral health services is posted on Supervisor Perez’s coronavirus information, resources and contacts guide. You may access it by clicking here.

“Lighting these buildings in lime green shows the bold commitment of Riverside County to promoting understanding and extending compassion to people living with mental health challenges,” said Dr. Matthew Chang, director of Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health. “I hope that everyone who sees these buildings this month will take the opportunity to open a discussion about mental health and learn about resources that are available in this community.”

Riverside County is joining with other locations in California that are participating in the Lime Green City Lights Activation, an initiative sponsored by Each Mind Matters/SanaMente. The aim of this initiative is to reduce stigma and introduce a safe place to start a discussion about mental health.

The buildings will be lit lime green through May 31.

Anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis should immediately call Behavioral Health CARES line at 800-706-7500 or call 2-1-1.

Editor’s note: Photos are of the Workforce Development Center in Indio. courtesy of Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health.