FANWOOD-SCOTCH PLAINS — The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club is emphasizing mental-health awareness as part of this year’s Rotary theme “Create Hope in the World.”

The club is raising awareness concerning mental-health issues in multiple ways. It has begun to schedule meetings focusing on the topic, and offering Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training to help identify and assist individuals who are experiencing a mental-health crisis. The club also is asking Fanwood and Scotch Plains residents and businesses to take the mental-health Stigma-Free Community Pledge.

The club kicked off the mentalhealth awareness campaign at its February 28 evening meeting. The featured speakers were Ray Freaney of the Mental Health Associates Rotary Club and Mary Claire Givelber of Caring Contact. Ms. Givelber spoke about services her organization provides for those experiencing a mental- health crisis, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Further information about the hotline can be found at caringcontact.org.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Rotary Club will be working with various organizations to set up mental-health information programs. This will include three different presentations by mentalhealth experts and those who deal with mental-health issues.Additionally, the club will partner with the Township of Scotch Plains to support the Saturday, May 4 Mental Health Fair and 5k race. For details regarding all the planned May activities, check the club’s website, www.fsprotary.org.

To learn more about the Mental Health awareness initiative and to take the Stigma-Free Pledge, go to www.fsprotary.org/stigma-free. Individuals also can send an email to fsprotarystigmafree@gmail.com.