Spero MN

07/28/2025

🌱 Real change starts close to home. At Spero, we’re supporting mental health from the ground up—through community-based care, school partnerships, and rapid-response outreach that meets rural needs in real time.

From the classroom to the farm, we’re building a healthier, more connected future—one meaningful step at a time.

Read more from our CEO Michele Merxbauer about how we’re making an impact in Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties.

By Michele Merxbauer, CEO of SperoAt Spero, our mission is rooted in one core belief: real change starts close to home. Since 1964, we’ve proudly served the mental and behavioral health needs of individuals and families in Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties. Over the decades, we’ve grown alongsi...

07/25/2025

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month—also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month. At Spero, we honor Bebe’s legacy as a fierce advocate for mental health equity in communities of color.

This year’s theme, "Turn Awareness Into Action," reminds us that real change begins with community care, cultural healing, and bold advocacy. BIPOC individuals often face additional barriers to mental health support—like racism, stigma, and lack of culturally competent care—but they also bring deep strength, wisdom, and resilience.

Here’s how we can act:
✨ Care for yourself in ways that honor your culture
🤝 Show up for others through connection and shared healing
📣 Use your voice to push for access and equity

Let’s uplift BIPOC voices, share resources like the 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit, and keep the conversation going.
You are seen. You are powerful. Your story matters. 💛

07/14/2025

✨ What does home mean to you? ✨
Join us for a free dinner and meaningful discussion at the “What Home Means to Me” Community Summit 🏠

📅 Date: July 17, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Location: Trinity Lutheran Church – 609 Lincoln Ave, Owatonna, MN

This is your chance to share your lived experience, ideas, and challenges around housing and support systems. Let’s build a stronger, safer community—together.

✅ FREE dinner
✅ Childcare & transportation available
✅ Open to all voices
💬 Questions or need support to attend?
📞 Call 507-455-1180 or 📧 email neil.lyons@unitedwaysteelecounty.org

Brought to you by United Way of Steele County & Spero.

07/14/2025

Mental health challenges can affect anyone. Here are some common signs to watch for:

In Adults & Teens:
➡️ Persistent sadness or irritability
➡️ Intense worry or fear
➡️ Difficulty concentrating
➡️ Extreme mood swings
➡️ Withdrawing from friends or activities
➡️ Changes in sleep or appetite

In Children:
➡️ Drop in school performance
➡️ Frequent tantrums or outbursts
➡️ Hyperactive or disruptive behavior

One or two signs alone may not signal a mental illness—but if they persist or disrupt daily life, it’s time to seek support.

You're not alone. Early help can make a big difference. 💙

06/27/2025

In the world of mental health recovery, it’s often the small victories that make the biggest difference. That’s something we celebrate every day in the ARMHS program.

For our clients, seemingly simple tasks like washing the dishes, going grocery shopping, or having a conversation in a coffee shop can feel overwhelming when mental health symptoms are at play. But by breaking these tasks down into manageable steps and working through them together, we help clients build confidence and competence in their daily lives.

These small wins add up. As clients master one task, they gain the skills and self-assurance to tackle the next. Over time, they develop routines and habits that support their mental health and well-being.

But the impact goes beyond the individual tasks. Each small success reinforces the client’s belief in their ability to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. It strengthens their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

So while it may seem like “just doing the dishes,” we know that every small victory is a big step forward in our clients’ recovery journeys. And that’s always worth celebrating.

06/24/2025

Pride is more than a month—it’s a daily commitment to mental health equity. 🌈

At Spero, we stand with the LGBTQ+ community every day by advocating for affirming care, amplifying marginalized voices, and fighting for a future where mental health support is truly inclusive.

Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep pushing for change. Because mental health without conditions is a right—for everyone.

06/18/2025

Everyone deserves community, respect, love, and access to culturally competent care!

06/10/2025

LGBTQ+ youth deserve more than survival.

LGBTQ+ youth face unique mental health challenges that require our attention and support.

Did you know?

→ LGB youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt su***de than heterosexual youth

→ 76% of LGB adolescents reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks

→ 86% of LGBTQ youth reported being harassed or assaulted at school

Supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth is not optional - it's essential. It can be the difference between life and death.

Let's work together to create a world where every LGBTQ+ young person feels seen, valued, and supported.

Their lives depend on it.

06/09/2025

At Spero, we believe healing happens when people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through programs like ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services), our team meets individuals where they are — in their homes, in the community, and beyond — to build the skills needed for a more independent, connected life.

Tami Anderson, a Mental Health Practitioner and ARMHS Team Lead, shares:

"It's all about them. When we meet, it's about their needs, their goals. I’m not there to do things for them — I'm there to do things with them."

At Spero, we walk alongside the people we serve — because everyone deserves a life full of dignity, hope, and opportunity. 💬💚

06/06/2025

Every year, Spero challenges our employees to move in May. Once again, we challenged some of our partner agencies to join us!

Out of the 4 agencies participating this past week, we have 149 employees with a total of 10,856,661 total steps!
Congratulations to MNPrairie once again, they rallied at the end and logged an amazing 81,200 steps per person!

2nd place: Spero 77,098
3rd place: Steele County 70,479
4th place: Mayo Owatonna 65,191

Our 4 agencies logged an astonishing 43 million steps over the month-long challenge. But you don’t have to compete to see the benefits of physical activity to your mental and physical health!
We encourage you to use this motivation to start or keep moving all summer long.

06/01/2025

Here’s a myth we need to retire:

MYTH: “Only weak people need therapy.”
FACT: Seeking therapy is a profound act of courage and strength. 💪

Choosing to address your mental health takes bravery, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow. Therapy is not a sign of weakness — it’s a commitment to your well-being, your relationships, and your future.

Let’s celebrate and normalize the strength it takes to seek support. The more we share these truths, the closer we get to breaking the stigma for good. 🌟

05/30/2025

In our always-connected world, it’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed. But did you know that spending time with loved ones can be one of the most powerful ways to combat stress?

Social support from family and friends provides a buffer against life’s challenges. It gives us a sense of belonging, helps us feel valued, and provides an outlet for sharing our thoughts and feelings. Studies have shown that people with strong social connections have lower levels of stress hormones, better cardiovascular health, and even longer lifespans.

The great thing about social support is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. A quick phone call, a coffee date, or a walk in the park with a friend can all help reduce stress and boost your mood. The key is to make time for these connections, even when life gets busy.

Of course, not all social interactions are created equal. Spending time with people who make you feel valued and supported is what’s important. If certain relationships are causing you more stress, it might be worth reevaluating them.

So next time you’re feeling stressed, reach out to a loved one. Share a laugh, a hug, or a listening ear. You’ll both feel better for it.

You’re never alone in this world. Your family and friends are your greatest allies in the fight against stress.