Partners support wellbeing with efforts on mental, physical and emotional health
OCEAN CITY — A Wellness Alliance committed to enhancing the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of the Ocean City community will have a special kickoff event this Sunday, May 4, at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
A group of partners including the library, Healthy Living Advisory Council, Senior Center, Arts Center, churches, schools and school board, along with the city, have come together to form the Ocean City Community Wellness Alliance. Representatives appeared at the April 24 Ocean City Council meeting to announce the initiative.
To support the wellbeing of the community, the mission statement of the alliance is to “build strong partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community leaders to provide accessible resources, education, and events that promote holistic health.
“By focusing on mental health awareness and support, along with fostering a culture of total wellness, we hope to empower individuals with the tools to lead balanced and fulfilling lives while strengthening the overall health of our town.”
The Community Wellness Day event will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the library and Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., with live music, yoga, discussions on mental health and other wellness topics, demonstrations and tastings of smoothies and healthy snacks, blood pressure screenings and reiki demonstrations.
Jennifer Shirk, president of the Ocean City Library Board of Trustees, told City Council she has a background in health care and pharmacy and has suffered from anxiety for 30 years.
During her time with the Ocean City Education Foundation, the organization helped raise funds for mental health in the schools.
“We realized to make a lasting impact,” she said, “we need to expanded our efforts to the entire community.”
The initiative is being rolled out now because May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. It is about education and awareness, not having alliance members act as therapists.
There has been a mental health crisis growing nationally that was brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shirk said.
She explained science is showing that the body is one interconnected system and what affects the body affects the brain and vice versa. As an example, someone who has a heart attack is more likely to suffer from depression and someone with depression is more at risk of developing a chronic disease.
Wellness, Shirk said, is about balance and a holistic approach. She encouraged the council members and the public to attend the alliance rollout May 4 and enjoy the wide variety of programs and events all afternoon.
She noted the student-led group OC Minds Matter will be there to talk about its mission and work.
Library Director Karen Mahar said when she was approached about the initiative, she was happy to have the library become a partner.
Right now the library is hosting demonstrations on the eight dimensions of wellness, including spiritual, physical and mental.
“We do a plethora of wellness events already, but we were thrilled to partner with” the alliance, Mahar said. “The event Sunday should be really fun.”
Vince Lee, the maestro of the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, will be providing music with his friends.
All of it is support by Ocean City’s Health Living Advisory Council, Mahar said.
Kathy Quinn, chair of the council, said it focuses on the holistic health of city residents by offering a variety of activities and education, including a Friday morning walking club and an expo on the Music Pier June 25.
She will be doing a reiki demonstration for spiritual health and there will be breathing and meditation demonstrations for emotional health.
“All things matter,” Quinn said. The concept is recognizing that wellness is achieved when all aspects of health are in balance, she explained.
Mayor Jay Gillian thanked the alliance members and said Mental Health Awareness Month holds special significance to him because mental health affects everyone. He said people can see if someone has a broken foot, but they don’t know what is going inside of them.
Enhancing the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of the community will help community members lead balanced and fulfilled lives, he said.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
