Opinion: A symbol of hope, healing rings out in Springfield

In the heart of Springfield, on ground that once echoed with the sounds of children playing at recess, a new kind of bell has been placed – one that doesn’t call students to class but instead calls our community to care for our mental well-being.

The Be Well Bell now stands proudly at the Fairbanks, a vibrant hub of hope, healing, and local resilience. This installation isn’t just art – it’s a public statement. It represents our shared mission to prioritize mental health, build connections, and eliminate the stigma that too often prevents individuals from seeking the care they deserve.

The bell’s presence is made possible through a partnership among Healthy Blue, Burrell Behavioral Health, Springfield Community Gardens and the Drew Lewis Foundation’s Reaching Independence Through Support and Education, or RISE, program. Each of our organizations brings a unique but deeply complementary perspective: from health care and food security to education and behavioral wellness. Together, we’re transforming a former schoolyard into a place where minds, bodies and communities can grow stronger.

Mental health is something we all have, yet historically, it has been pushed to the background of public discourse. Too many people still face barriers – cultural, logistical or financial – that prevent them from accessing life-changing support. That’s why initiatives like the Be Well Bell matter. They create visibility and open dialogue and provide direct access to resources.

This particular bell, painted by members of the RISE program, features people standing together – a powerful reminder that none of us are alone. It also includes a QR code linked to mental health support and community programs, helping connect people not just to inspiration but to action.

The bell also reminds us how far we’ve come as it now stands for freedom, healing and progress in how we treat mental health. Today, the Be Well Bell continues that legacy of transformation. It is a bold, colorful presence in our neighborhood and one that we hope will inspire thoughtful conversations and encourage our community to seek support without shame.

At Springfield Community Gardens, cultivating the land is about more than food – it’s about growing dignity and opportunity. Now, just steps away from the urban garden and community fridge, this bell helps cultivate mental wellness, too.

At Burrell Behavioral Health, we created the Be Well Community to change the way we talk about mental health. Through these bells, placed throughout Missouri, we’re building a visible, tangible reminder that help is here – and healing is possible.

And at Healthy Blue, we remain committed to ensuring that high-quality mental health care is accessible, inclusive, and community centered.

We invite everyone in Springfield to visit the bell, scan the code, learn about local services, and — most importantly — talk to someone. Let the bell ring out as a symbol not only of awareness, but of action.

Bailey Pyle is director of Be Well Initiatives at Burrell Behavioral Health; Amy Blansit is the founder of the Drew Lewis Foundation; and Jeff Davis is president of Healthy Blue Missouri.