GREEN BAY, Wis.— Four Green Bay-area non-profits are hoping to help people struggling with mental health issues during the pandemic.

Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, Foundations Health & Wholeness, Samaritan Counseling and Catalpa Health partnered on a campaign to provide people with yard signs and kits that ask folks how they’re doing.

“A lot of people’s mental health has been affected during the pandemic, especially our kids,’ said Jessica Gaedtke. “I thought it would be good to reach out my community with a yard sign, and I got one for a friend, too.”

“We’re reaching out to people saying, ‘Hey, are you OK? How are you doing?’ and then letting our friends know that there are resources in the community to help out,” she said.

Kristy Maney is board chair of Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. She said we’re all feeling the stress of the pandemic in one way or another. She’s hopeful the signs and practice approach to checking in on everyone’s mental health will make a difference.

“You know, I hope it plants a seed and it gets somebody to talk and it prevents them from spiraling or getting any worse and help them work through their problems,” Maney said.

The program relies on ambassadors from each organization who will go to different parts of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago counties with “Look In and Reach Out” kits that provide signs, cards, and wrist bands.