OCALA, FL (352today.com) — As May wraps up Mental Health Awareness Month, Ocala’s own Clint Hauger, CEO of The Vines Behavioral Health Hospital, is reminding residents that mental wellness deserves attention every day—not just once a year.

“In every story, there is strength and there is hope,” Hauger says. “Mental health can’t wait. Break the silence… Ignite change.”

Hauger and his team care for thousands of patients each year at The Vines, a facility that provides behavioral health services for adults and seniors in Marion County and beyond. According to national data, nearly one in five Americans is dealing with a mental health issue, and one in 25 lives with a serious mental illness that disrupts major life activities.

“Mental illness is often invisible,” Hauger says. “But its impact is deeply real. And when we speak up, we help shatter stigma and make it easier for others to reach out for help.”

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed each May since 1949. It serves as a call to action to normalize conversations, promote resources, and support those affected by mental illness.

What can you do to help?

Hauger offers these suggestions for how the community can play a part:

  • Listen and encourage: If you notice a loved one struggling, let them talk. Empathy and encouragement can be the first step toward healing.
  • Share resources: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential help 24/7. Veterans can press ‘1’ for specialized support.
  • Know the signs of a crisis: In a medical emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
  • Support future professionals: Encourage young people to explore careers in mental health—whether in medicine, nursing, therapy, or social work.

“As a leader in behavioral health, I’ve seen how stigma keeps people from getting help until it’s too late,” Hauger says. “We must keep the conversation going in schools, workplaces, and our communities—just like we do for physical health.”

The Vines is committed to this mission year-round. “Our greatest reward,” Hauger says, “is watching patients rediscover hope and purpose on their journey to recovery.”

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