A local cable access show about mental health is kicking off this month.

The cable series titled "Central Center Mental Health Forum" stems from a RoofRaiser that Spring Lake Park Mayor Bob Nelson led in May to raise funds for the Central Center for Family Resources (CCFFR) and to raise awareness about mental health.

Since 1979, CCFFR has provided mental health services to families and at-risk youth in Anoka County. Last year, CCFFR assisted more than 3,000 families countywide and also provides services to school districts.

Nelson camped on the roof of the former District Offices of Spring Lake Park Schools from 3 p.m. May 16 to 6 a.m. May 19.

"I came back with a whole different understanding," said Nelson on May 19. "[Mental health] touches everybody in every life no matter where you're at. It was an eye-opening experience."

That eye-opening experience played a part in the creation of a local cable access show about mental health.

In a phone interview last week, Nelson told Sun Focus that some people who visited him on the roof in May, including counselors and psychiatrists, expressed frustration about the lack of awareness concerning mental health.

"You hear about it in the newspaper when something went bad, but most felt there was never any type of education programs for people to talk about mental health," said Nelson.

Dr. Joe Wotruba, a licensed psychologist and a 22-year CCFFR staff member, said he visited Mayor Nelson one morning during the RoofRaiser.

"I said, 'My impression is that one of the things that is really needed is a broader scope of mental health issues,'" Wotruba told Sun Focus.

He said Nelson agreed and wanted to help bring mental health awareness to the public by getting involved in a local cable access show.

Wotruba, who is the program director of the CCFFR domestic abuse program, currently serves as the show's narrator.

Other participants in the first episode of "Central Center Mental Health Forum" include Mayor Bob Nelson; Dave Toth, Spring Lake Park Police Chief; Susan Kraack, probation/parole officer with Anoka County Community Corrections; and Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah.

The first episode, which airs from Oct. 6 through the end of November, was taped on Sept. 22.

"It was interesting," Nelson said of the taping. "I think it came out good and real personable. We had some really good discussion."

The first 30-minute episode focuses on what happens after a domestic abuse incident, relating to first responders. It ties into Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is October.

"I thought it was a good start and I hope it grows and takes off from there," Nelson said.

Two additional episodes with new panels of participants will also focus on domestic abuse.

"We're trying to educate the community about the impact of domestic violence and how it affects not only individuals, families and children, but also the community in terms of crime, chemical dependency and the courts," said Patty Halvorson, CCFFR development specialist.

It is expected that the "Central Center Mental Health Forum" series will air for the next couple of years, addressing mental health through various topics and discussions.

"I'm excited. I hope a lot of people watch it, and I hope it gives people some direction," Nelson said. "I hope we can make a difference and get people the help that they need.

"There's too much violence and too many tragedies. I hope that we can take a bite out of it and reduce some of it."

He added that CCFFR staff "are such caring people and have such a passion for helping their fellow man."

"Hopefully [the series] will help people understand that mental health is an issue in our community and something that needs to be understood and appreciated for what it is," Wotruba said, adding that often people with mental health issues stigmatize themselves.

"It's trying to help people understand there are resources available in the community for them and their families to access and utilize."

The episodes will run three times weekly, on Mondays at 7 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. for two months.

North Metro TV (NMTV) can be seen on Cable Channel 15 in Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Ham Lake, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Spring Lake Park.

NMTV programming is also available online at www.northmetrotv.com by clicking on the "Video On Demand" button on the home page.

NMTV will also be sending the "Central Center Mental Health Forum" series to other community television stations, which may choose to run the program.

Those stations include Public Access Channel 15 for the cities of Fridley and Columbia Heights, and CTV, which serves Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview.

Other participants in the first episode of "Central Center Mental Health Forum" include Mayor Bob Nelson; Dave Toth, Spring Lake Park Police Chief; Susan Kraack, probation/parole officer with Anoka County Community Corrections; and Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah.

The first episode, which airs from Oct. 6 through the end of November, was taped on Sept. 22.

"It was interesting," Nelson said of the taping. "I think it came out good and real personable. We had some really good discussion."

The first 30-minute episode focuses on what happens after a domestic abuse incident, relating to first responders. It ties into Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is October.

"I thought it was a good start and I hope it grows and takes off from there," Nelson said.

Two additional episodes with new panels of participants will also focus on domestic abuse.

"We're trying to educate the community about the impact of domestic violence and how it affects not only individuals, families and children, but also the community in terms of crime, chemical dependency and the courts," said Patty Halvorson, CCFFR development specialist.

It is expected that the "Central Center Mental Health Forum" series will air for the next couple of years, addressing mental health through various topics and discussions.

"I'm excited. I hope a lot of people watch it, and I hope it gives people some direction," Nelson said. "I hope we can make a difference and get people the help that they need.

"There's too much violence and too many tragedies. I hope that we can take a bite out of it and reduce some of it."

He added that CCFFR staff "are such caring people and have such a passion for helping their fellow man."

"Hopefully [the series] will help people understand that mental health is an issue in our community and something that needs to be understood and appreciated for what it is," Wotruba said, adding that often people with mental health issues stigmatize themselves.

"It's trying to help people understand there are resources available in the community for them and their families to access and utilize."

The episodes will run three times weekly, on Mondays at 7 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. for two months.

North Metro TV (NMTV) can be seen on Cable Channel 15 in Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Ham Lake, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Spring Lake Park.

NMTV programming is also available online at www.northmetrotv.com by clicking on the "Video On Demand" button on the home page.

NMTV will also be sending the "Central Center Mental Health Forum" series to other community television stations, which may choose to run the program.

Those stations include Public Access Channel 15 for the cities of Fridley and Columbia Heights, and CTV, which serves Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview.