U.S. Representatives Brian Higgins and Tom Reed may not always see eye-to-eye on a number of the federal and local issues affecting their constituents.

However, it was refreshing to see the two lawmakers — in a bipartisan effort — on bringing awareness to mental health. The effort was particularly noteworthy since it came right before election season. We’re not sure Democratic or Republican party officials were happy about that.

Let them be unhappy.

Mental health is an issue that should know no partisan divide. Reed and Higgins chose to cross the partisan divide and partner with the Patrick Lee Foundation to appear in an ad campaign promoting BeKind2theMind.org as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The campaign provides an opportunity to bring greater awareness of mental illness and the mental health issues facing communities, educate communities about the need for increased public investment in mental health resources and encourage people to be part of the solution.

“He’s committed to this. I’m committed to this and what unites us also is our commitment and love of our community and so to be able to stand with him with something easily done and rightfully done, because that is common ground that brings us together not only as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans,” Reed told WBFO in Buffalo.

If the effort can bring opposing parties and viewpoints together, it is something the rest of our community — and nation — should embrace.