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Wrapping paper with a purpose
Ellie Mental Health’s limited-edition wrapping paper reminds people to prioritize their mental health during the holidays.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minnesota — The holidays can be a gift but can also give us stress.
Ellie Mental Health’s limited-edition wrapping paper reminds people to prioritize their mental health during the holidays.
“We wanted to get people having the conversation about the role mental health plays in the holidays,” said Melissa Amponsah, the chief marketing officer at Ellie Mental Health.
Ellie is a brand of outpatient mental health clinics founded in Minnesota in 2015. After franchising in late 2021/early 2022, they now have a network of about 200 clinics open across the country. It was founded on the principle of destigmatizing mental health.
Ellie does monthly themes around mental health.
“We talked about things like the mental load of parenthood, which more typically falls on the role of the mother to carry the burden of the holidays and we talked about holiday traditions and things that you end up carrying forward that don’t mean anything to you but you do it out of a feeling of obligation,” Amponsah said. “Those things drain the joy that the holiday should actually have for us.”
For their December theme, they chose to create holiday wrapping paper that includes coping skills. It’s a subtle reminder for both the gift giver and receiver.
Phrases on the gift wrap include: Cut Yourself Some Slack; Plan Downtime; Get Some Fresh Air; It’s Okay to Ask for Help; You Don’t Have to Stay With Family; and Don’t Skip Therapy.
“This time of year we do see a higher rate of cancellations for our therapy appointments. It’s certainly not intended to be self-serving; it is intended to remind people that… you’re helping your ability to cope with the things you’re going through. Then when things get stressful, when you cut that out, you also cut out the things that are feeding into your ability to cope and to actually destress. So the one hour spent in therapy pays dividends for the hour you would get back from cutting it,” Amponsah said.
The gift wrap can be found on Zazzle.com. As of Tuesday, to make it in time for Christmas, you need to choose the fastest printing and shipping option. All proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Ultimately, it’s about starting conversations around mental health during this time of the year.
Aponsah said, “Having people embrace the small and seemingly simple things that you can do that maintain the joy that the holidays are meant to bring.”
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Tonya Yarmakov, 23, was reported missing from Savanna State Park on Sept. 4.
NORTHFIELD, Minn. — On Friday night, a Minnesota college held a vigil for a woman reported missing more than two weeks ago.
St. Olaf College in Northfield hosted a candlelight vigil for 23-year-old Tonya Yarmakov, who was last seen on Sept. 4 while camping with her family in Savanna State Park near McGregor, Minnesota.
The Aikin County Sheriff’s Office said family members allegedly told authorities they left Yarmakov alone on a dock as they went fishing, and around noon, saw her get up and run away.
She is 5 feet tall and has dark brown hair. The sheriff said she was last seen wearing a rainbow tie-dyed t-shirt, gym shorts, black shoes and black headphones.
Yarmakov has autism and Type 1 diabetes, causing greater concern for her welfare, authorities said.
Officials said they’ve used drones, dogs and planes to search for the missing woman.
If you have information about Yarmakov’s current whereabouts, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact them at 218-927-7435 or call 911.
Saturday’s event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of people are pouring into downtown Minneapolis Saturday morning for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Twin Cities.
KARE 11’s Karla Hult is emceeing the walk – one of the largest walks in the country, with 7,000 to 10,000 people attending – along with Gabi Del Moral of Telemundo Minnesota.
“Those of us who know Alzheimer’s or another dementia, also know this disease can feel so overwhelming and isolating,” said Hult, whose dad finished his Alzheimer’s marathon in 2019.
“It’s why I’ve always cherished the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” Hult said. “There’s just nothing like connecting with a stadium full of people who understand how it feels to live with this cruel disease. Together, we find incomparable empathy and support. Together, we find new strength to fight. And together, we find the joy that still exists during the journey.”
The event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, money raised from the event provides local support groups, classes and resources at no cost to Minnesota families. The Alzheimer’s Association is also a significant champion and supporter of critical dementia research, including research projects currently happening in Minnesota.
This year the goal is to raise $1.5M through the event.
More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Minnesota alone, there are 101,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 164,000 unpaid caregivers support them.
Two men died in the hospital and three others suffered injuries after gunfire rang out downtown.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after five people were shot, two fatally, in downtown Minneapolis.
Officers were called to the area around 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue just before 2 a.m. Saturday for a report that several small groups fighting had escalated into gunfire.
Police report five people were shot. Two men, aged 20 and 21, were taken to the hospital where they later died, according to officials. Three women, two aged 16 and 17 and another woman, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said one person was taken into custody and will be booked for “Probable Cause Riot.”
A handgun was recovered from the scene, police said.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
