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“I love the rain,” said Newport resident Jennifer Ortiz as a sudden summer storm announced its arrival with a thundercrack. She stood with her signs, covered with messages of hope and encouragement, near a four-way intersection in the town. “A lot of times when I’m standing out with signs, it rains. It gets hot out here, and I feel like the rain is just God letting me know he’s there for me.”
For the past couple of months, Ortiz has been handwriting and placing signs with positive messages such as “Your mental health matters,” “You are not alone,” and “Reach out,” throughout Perry County.
“There’s a few in Duncannon, Landisburg, Loysville and Dauphin,” Ortiz said. “Sometimes they get taken down, and I also go around and take them down after weather changes. Wherever God leads me, he calls me on what to put and where to put them.”
Ortiz was inspired to start putting up the signs by her own mental-health journey. “Honestly, I was doing a therapy appointment over my phone one day, and I remember mentioning that I want to put mental health awareness signs out there, and that’s just where it started.
“I relate to a lot of people, and a lot of the things I put out there I want to hear myself. It’s just the way I feel about everyone. We are all worthy, we all matter. We just need more mental health awareness.
“I want people to have hope so they can be the best version of themselves and be able to help others around them. When I am struggling and I help others, it helps me at the same time.”
She began her endeavor in Newport. “When I first started it was just a big sign, because I come out here and hold them, too. One day I laid the sign next to the four-way in Newport, and it stayed there for weeks.” Since then, she claims she’s made 300 signs, some being replacements for older, weather-damaged signs. Ortiz mostly works alone, though her daughter helps at times.
Her message has not gone unnoticed. Newport Mayor Robert Campbell said, “Jenny’s signs bring a positive message for all. Everyone is included and can benefit from her positive outlook. It’s a joy to have Jenny as a resident of Newport.”
Ortiz’s joy is seeing how her signs affect her community. “Some people look at the signs and get a pep in their step,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they were going to give up until they saw the signs, and stuff like that. I’ve had times where I thought I should not do this, but God always gives me a sign that I should keep doing it.
“All it takes is one person who needs it,” she said. “I know I’ve driven down the street feeling alone, and just wished I saw a sign. We all matter, and we’re all worthy. I’m not trying to be professional; I just love everyone. I know how it feels in so many different situations.”
Newport resident Jennifer Ortiz standing between two of her signs near the intersection of 4th and Market Streets in Newport on Aug 4. Ortiz started her outreach in Newport, and in the couple months since she has made hundreds of signs to display around the county. (Paul E. Wyatt photo)
Perry County partners with Cumberland County to provide mental health services to residents. Cumberland-Perry Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities offers a variety of services to those requiring care, including both crisis intervention and a case management program. The case management program helps patients who are struggling to find and access care and provides support for those working toward recovery.
Individuals who are seeking non-crisis mental health services can contact one of MH.IDD’s case management units at either Penn State Holy Spirit Hospital, 717-763-2219, or Merakey Stevens Center, 717-243-6033. When calling either location, ask for intake and they will have further directions.
On July 16, Pennsylvania introduced the 988 lifeline, which allows anyone to simply dial 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. According to a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the line is free to use and open 24/7. It can be used by anyone who needs support during a suicidal, mental or behavioral health, or substance-use crisis.
If concerned about someone else’s behavior, call 911 if there may be a medical emergency or if the individual is acting threatening or violent. If the behavior is not immediately dangerous, call the crisis intervention lifeline at 988.
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