May 4 is National Day of Prayer

From Igna Mae B. Urke

Starbuck

I received in the mail a couple of notices to post about the National Day of Prayer coming up May 4.  I feel very strongly that it needs to get advertised much more due to the urgent need for prayer for our country at this time so I ask you to mark your calendars to remember to pray fervently for our country on May 4.  We also need to pray that the endless slaughter of unborn babies must stop.  Thank you.

Gun legislation doesn’t threat my rights

From Bob Ritter,

Walker, (but visits Glenwood

frequently.)

I am a recent transplant to Minnesota. For the past nearly 50 years I lived in rural northern Idaho, where I was a strong and appreciative supporter of our local sheriff’s department. I was deeply saddened by the killing of Deputy Josh Owen, whose work days and nights likely were similar to those of the deputies I knew in Idaho.

People like deputy Owen perform many invaluable services for their communities, and frequently find themselves in dangerous or threatening situations. Unfortunately, more and more of these situations are exacerbated by the presence of firearms. In that regard I believe that one of the most meaningful things we can do to support law enforcement is to encourage sensible regulation of firearms. Regulations, such as “red flag” laws, which enable the confiscation of firearms from people with histories of domestic violence or abuse might prevent at least some of the tragedies we hear of, including death or injury of law enforcement professionals. It’s my understanding that the governor plans to propose legislation to this effect. As a longtime gun owner and family man, I don’t feel such legislation threatens my own rights in any way, and I intend to support these efforts fully.

May is ‘Mental Health Month’

From Sue Abderholden,

executive director

of NAMI Minnesota

May is mental health month, a time to raise awareness of the importance of striving for good mental health. Our head is connected to the rest of our body, and when our physical health isn’t great, it impacts our mental health, and when our mental health isn’t great, it impacts our physical health. It is evidenced by the fact that people with diabetes, heart disease, and even COVID have higher rates of depression. A mental illness or poor mental health symptoms can include stomach aches, pounding heart and muscle pain. So, if we want to be healthy, we must also focus on our mental health.

Striving for good mental health means focusing on nutrition, moving or exercising, and staying connected to others. It also helps to do things like meditation, mindfulness activities, yoga and simply being outdoors. Even if you live with a mental illness, doing these things can help you feel better.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme is “More Than Enough,” to let people living with a mental illness know that they are “more than enough.” Mental illness doesn’t define people; they are more than their illness. People with mental illnesses are inherently worthy of life, love and healing — no matter what they look like, where they are in their journeys, or what they are or aren’t able to do. For this to happen, our communities must learn more about mental health and mental illnesses. We need to ensure that people are connected with resources, receive services and have hope for the future.

During May, NAMI Minnesota offers several free virtual classes to provide education, support, and hope. Topics include suicide prevention, Tardive Dyskinesia, self-care, mindfulness, youth resources and more. Visit the website at www.namimn.org to register and learn more.

NAMI Minnesota is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families through its education, support and advocacy programs.