The artwork of  clients of the Family Guidance Center is hitting the road this month.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In an effort to recognize that even those with mental health issues can be heard in their own way, the Family Guidance Center is showcasing their clients’ works at various locations around the county.

In March, the organization had its first annual “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow – Exploring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse through Art” event and it was such a success that the decision was made to spread the word beyond the initial location in Phillipsburg. The art works that can been seen “on the road” include numerous paintings, all created by Family Guidance Center clients.

A selection of the art work can be seen at the following locations: Washington area, Pasta By Enzo, Allie’s Cupcakery & Cafe, Common Sense for Animals, and the office of the Washington Business Improvement District; in the Hackettstown area, Mama’s Cafe Baci, WRNJ, and the Panther Valley Homeowners Association office; Phillipsburg/Easton area, II Gaetano/Guy’s Bar & Grill, Carma Salon, Extreme Hair Design, Hair to Dye For, and Quadrant Book Mart & Coffee House; and in Hope, the Inn at Millrace Pond.

The Family Guidance Center has been providing behavioral health services to the Warren County community for over 60 years and provides services to over 4,000 individuals each year who are diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder. The individual, their family members and their communities are all impacted by this diagnosis.  Some realize their illness as a result of a crisis, others learn of their illness through their everyday struggles that keep them from living a life free of anxiety, depression or desperation.  Families can be just as fragile as their loved one as they learn how to cope and support their husband, wife, daughter, son, mother or father through a time in their lives when hope is just a word and not a reality.

For more information about the Family Guidance Center, including its locations throughout the county, full suite of services, how one can volunteer, and other details about the organization, visit www.fgcwc.org.