Substance abuse treatment and mental health resources were the focus of the Capital Area Human Services’ Driving Into Recovery event Sept. 17 in Donaldsonville.

A steady line of more than 100 vehicles made pit stops at 10 local vendor tables under the Frank Sotile Jr. Pavilion.

Vehicles line up during Saturday’s Capital Area Human Services’ Driving Into Recovery event at the Donaldsonville Frank Sotile Jr. Pavilion. Information about mental health and addiction recovery was passed out to residents during the free event.

Photo by Wendy Loup

Vendors offered free informational resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Other products available at the drive-thru included NARCAN nasal sprays, Fentanyl test strips, drug deactivation bags that can properly dispose medicine, diapers and food boxes.

Shaketha Carter, deputy director of CAHS, said the drive-thru event is a way to reach as many people as possible in Donaldsonville and other areas to feature services offered in mental health and addiction recovery.

Boxes of NARCAN nasal spray and Fentanyl testing strips were given out by the Louisiana Department of Health during the Capital Area Human Services’ Driving Into Recovery event in Donaldsonville.

Photo by Wendy Loup

Carter, a Donaldsonville resident, said the event helps residents of the parish find out about the services offered in both the Donaldsonville and Gonzales locations.

“We offer behavioral health services, mental health and addiction recovery resources and family services,” she said.

The drive-thru event has occurred for several years but was postponed a couple of years during the COVID pandemic, Carter noted.

Brittney Mayo, chief executive officer of Mayo Behavioral Health Services, said the Driving Into Recovery event is a way to let people know there are services available to help those in need.

“We came out today because there are people fighting addiction, and we want to help with recovery services,” Mayo said. “All services offered here today are needed in the community.”

Katelyn Melancon, program director at Mayo Behavioral Health Services, said the resources offered at events like the drive-thru “give people a sense of hope.”

“We need resources available, especially with the opioid crisis, and sometimes medication as a treatment is needed as well as counseling,” Melancon said.

Mayo Behavioral Health Services offers mental health, marriage and addiction recovery counseling, Mayo said.

Ascension Parish Library’s Outreach Assistant Shelby Landaiche passed out mental health and addiction recovery resources at the drive-thru.

“The library is able to help people find online counseling and recovery resources,” Landaiche said. “The library is a familiar face to residents.”

Donaldsonville resident Bratta Williams received bags of information at the event.

“This is helpful for the community, and all information given out today is needed,” Williams said. “They are all very friendly people. All of these are important items, and I hope these are beneficial to everyone, even if they aren’t for you.”

The Louisiana Department of Health gave attendees many items including packs of NARCAN nasal spray and Fentanyl testing strips, as well as health brochures.

Opioid Prevention Outreach Coordinator Trudy Wickham said the Department of Health attended the event to inform people about the risk of opioids.

“They can be very helpful, but also very addictive,” Wickham said. “We are giving out information and tips such as you need to lock up your medicines and don’t take medicine from anyone.”

“There have been residents today who have said, ‘Yes, I’ve lost a loved one from an overdose, and I wish I had known what to do,’” Wickham said.

Denise Dorsey, of Donaldsonville, said, “I loved the drive-thru. There was a lot of information I didn’t know about. I wish that everyone would have been able to come out today to receive this.”

CAHS also provides services to 33 schools including East Ascension High School, Donaldsonville High School and Gonzales Middle School, Carter said.

Carter said the CAHS services Ascension, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, East, and West Baton Rouge and East and West Feliciana.

For more information about the Capital Area Human Services, call (225) 925-1906. For more information about mental health and addiction recovery services offered from the Louisiana Department of Health, call (225) 342-9500.

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SHEBOYGAN – The first-ever NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) statewide walk will be held in Sheboygan Oct. 7 at Kiwanis Park, 726 Kiwanis Park Drive.

A news release states: “As the American public increasingly understands the critical nature of accessible, affordable mental health care, so do the demands on NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Wisconsin.

“To support its free educational programs, power its advocacy efforts and strengthen outreach to the community, NAMI presents its largest mental health awareness and fundraising event of the year, NAMIWalks,” the release added. “This fall, six NAMIWalks will take place across the state including walks in Appleton, Beloit, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee and Sheboygan.”

To join NAMIWalks Wisconsin, visit www.namiwalks.org/wisconsin or visit a local NAMI affiliate’s website. There is no registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged.

Participants raising at least $100 in the walk receive an event T-shirt.

All funds raised stay local, supporting NAMI Wisconsin and surrounding NAMI affiliates’ free mental health programs, resources and services.

The NAMIWalks are scheduled as follow:

• Sept. 30 in Eau Claire supporting NAMI Chippewa Valley;

• Oct. 7 in Beloit supporting NAMI Rock County;

• Oct. 7 in Madison supporting NAMI Dane County;

• Oct. 7 in Milwaukee supporting NAMI Southeast Wisconsin;

• Oct. 7 in Sheboygan supporting NAMI Wisconsin, NAMI Dodge County, NAMI Fond du Lac, NAMI Ozaukee and NAMI Manitowoc County; and

• Oct. 14 in Appleton supporting NAMI Fox Valley.

NAMI Wisconsin is part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. For more information, go to namiwisconsin.org.

Sheboygan HR director resignation: Sheboygan HR director cites ‘defamatory’ and ‘hateful’ targets against him in resignation notice

Welcome to your weekly dose.Here is more news from throughout Sheboygan County.

Wade House plans ‘Autumn Celebration’ Oct. 14-15

Wade House historic site, W7965 State 23, Greenbush, will hold an “Autumn Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14-15.

During the event, guests will learn about the traditional harvest season in Wisconsin as well as early traditions of Halloween.

The event includes a variety of family-friendly activities like turnip and pumpkin carving, snap apple, storytelling, apple cider tasting, open-air horse-drawn wagon rides and more.

On the Wade House lawn, visitors will get the chance to carve pumpkins and turnips into jack-o-lanterns.

The experience will begin on the first floor of the 1850 Wade House stagecoach hotel. Costumed staff will greet visitors inside the historic tap room and share the history of how Americans adapted Irish customs to celebrate Halloween in a new and unique way.

In the hotel’s 19th-century kitchens, visitors will discover how apple peels and hazelnuts were used to tell fortunes as well as enjoy a taste of warm apple cider.

Guests to the Wade House will learn about the fall harvest.

Outside on the Wade House lawn, visitors will get to carve a turnip into traditional Irish jack-o-lantern, or a pumpkin into the better-known North American lantern.

In the blacksmith shop, guests will have the chance to play snap apple, a traditional Halloween game. Snap apple participants will try to take a bite of an apple as it dangles in front of them.

The celebration continues in the candlelit Herrling sawmill, where visitors will not only hear the rumble of an up-and-down water-powered saw but also spooky, family-friendly accounts of tales from the past.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, $8 for kids 5-17 and free for kids younger than 5.

Wade House historic site is one of 12 Wisconsin Historical Society historic sites and museums. For more information, call 920-526-3271 or go to wadehouse.org.

Dare to Dream Theatre to present ‘Fancy Nancy the Musical’

Tickets are on sale for Dare to Dream Theatre’s upcoming production of “Fancy Nancy the Musical.” The show will be staged at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7, 2 p.m. Oct. 1, 11 a.m. Oct. 7, and 2 p.m. Oct. 8. It is recommended for ages 4 and older.

Performances are at Sheboygan Lutheran High School’s Center for Arts and Performance. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students, $12 for seniors and $9 for children younger than 12. They can be purchased online at daretodreamtheatre.org.

In addition to the performance, the matinee performances will also include a Fancy Tea Party with Nancy and her friends. Wear your fanciest attire and arrive in style through the VIP entrance where you will be escorted to the Tea Room, receive your Fancy Swag Bag and select your seats for the party.

If you arrive early, you can create a Fancy Accessory for the performance and the tea party. After the performance, return to the Tea Room for the party to partake in tea and treats served by cast members. The Tea Party is available for the 2 p.m. Oct. 1, 11 a.m. Oct. 7 and 2 p.m. Oct. 8 shows.

Sheboygan County Quilters Guild’s 2023 show coming Sept. 30

The Sheboygan County Quilters Guild has announced its 2023 quilt show, “Rock Around the Block,” will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at Sheboygan County Christian School, 929 Greenfield Ave., Sheboygan.

On display will be more than 150 quilts and quilted items.

Vendors and Guild members will be selling new and gently-used quilting-related items from sewing machines to fabric.

Also, a dozen quilts and quilted items will also be raffled off at the show. People need not be present to win.

Lunch will be available on site.

For more details, go to sheboyganquiltersguild.org or the Sheboygan County Quilters Guild Facebook page.

Sheboygan Theatre Company preps for second annual Murder Mystery fundraiser

Sheboygan Theatre Company will host its second annual Murder Mystery fundraiser, “Sleuth, Rattle & Roll: Murder at the Sock Hop,” from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Sheboygan Elk Lodge No. 299.

The fundraiser is a 21-or-older event. Guests are invited to dress up and mix and mingle with the eight actors playing suspects to find the killer.

The event will also include a silent auction, raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will help support STC in its 90th season.

Individual tickets ($40 for early bird or $50 regular, plus $3 convenience fee) include entrance into the event, a ballot to vote for the murderer, heavy hors d’oeuvre and dessert bar, and two drink tickets. VIP tables of eight are also available for $500 each (plus $5 convenience fee), which guarantee a seat for each person, a complimentary themed toast to start off the night, and an extra clue to help solve the mystery. Seating is only guaranteed with VIP tables.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to stcshows.org.

‘Secret Wisconsin’ authors to stop in Sheboygan Nov. 18

Cover of ‘Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,’ by Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manu.

Authors of the newly released “Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure” will make a stop in Sheboygan Nov. 18 for a presentation and book-signing at WordHaven BookHouse, 923 N. Eighth St. Their visit will run 2-3 p.m. and is free and open to the public. People can call the bookstore at 920-395-2375 for more information.

The book is written by Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus.

A news release states: “Wisconsin is known for its outdoor recreation, supper clubs and being ‘America’s Dairyland,’ but intriguing wonders and obscure events lie hidden in plain sight.

“Why does a temporary circus billboard from 1885 still exist on a building? Did someone really exchange water with aliens for extraterrestrial pancakes? Where can you honor deceased postal letter carriers? Have you been eating brats the wrong way? ‘Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,’ takes you on an unforgettable trip to discover the state’s quirkiness and some of its best kept secrets.”

Learn more about the book at https://www.reedypress.com/shop/secret-wisconsin-a-guide-to-the-weird-wonderful-and-obscure/.

‘Dark stores’ lawsuits: A state Supreme Court ruling could lead attorneys away from ‘dark store’ reasoning in pending Sheboygan lawsuits

Blue Harbor, entertainment venues offer ‘An Evening of Wonders’ giveaway package

Blue Harbor Resort and Spa towers over the crowd at Freedom Fest on south pier. Friday, July 2, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis.

Blue Harbor Resort is joining forces with Weill Center for the Performing Arts, Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, Bookworm Gardens and The GameBoard to give away “An Evening of Wonders” in Sheboygan.

The “An Evening of Wonders” prize package, valued at $1,000, will include the following:

• a two-night stay at Blue Harbor Resort Oct. 20-21 that includes waterpark passes;

• four tickets to see “Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders” at the Weill Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 21;

• a one-year family membership to Above & Beyond Children’s Museum;

• four general admission tickets to Bookworm Gardens for Oct. 21 or 22; and

• The Neil Patrick Harris Theory 11 Playing Cards and Ocean Shashibo puzzle from The GameBoard.

Here’s how to enter: The contest will run through Sept. 24 with online registrations accepted at https://www.blueharborresort.com/stay/register-to-win/ or in person at the Blue Harbor Resort booth at the Harbor Centre BID’s River Fest, a one-day festival along Riverfront Drive boardwalk in Sheboygan Sept. 23. One winner will be selected the week of Sept. 25 by random drawing. Registrants must be at least 21 years old.

Blue Harbor Resort is also offering 15% off resort room rates for any visitors attending a Weill Center show this season. Visitors can use promo code WEILL when booking rooms to take advantage of the offer.

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Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: NAMIWalks Wisconsin coming to Sheboygan Kiwanis Park in 2023

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To raise awareness of world suicide prevention, come along to a special event at Preston’s Bus Station between 10am and 3.30pm on Saturday 9 September, hosted by Preston Wellfest.

This is a free, drop-in event with insights from people who’ve have been touched by suicide, plus stalls hosted by local community and support organisations. The event will be focused on this year’s international theme of ‘Creating Hope through Action’.

By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling.

A number of local organisations with an interest in suicide prevention, as well as supporting those bereaved by suicide, will attend the event running stalls focused on creating hope, as well as providing advice, information, and more intensive support to anyone that may require it.

Download the Suicide Prevention Event promotional flyer.
(PDF)
[171KB]

What local community and support organisation will be available?

Amongst those attending will be:

• The Samaritans
• Strive 2 Thrive
• Red Rose Recovery
• Peer Talk
• Preston Domestic Violence Services
• The Mary O’Gara Foundation
• We Are With You.

In addition, there will be an exhibition in the bus station of artwork produced by people who have lost loved ones to suicide; this will sit alongside work already on display from The Mary O’Gara Foundation.

At the event itself, many of the stallholders will be hosing activities, such as planting ‘bulbs-of-hope’ with Let’s Grow Preston, and there will be opportunities to hear from people who have worked with the organisations in attendance, through a series of short live interviews.

Councillor Nweeda Khan, Cabinet member for community safety and social justice at Preston City Council, said:

“With more than 6,000 lives lost to suicide each year in the UK, it’s time to open up and talk about how we’re feeling and start that conversation. And remember, each suicide also profoundly impacts many more people.

“It’s important for people to know it’s okay not to be okay and that there is help out there and always someone who can listen.

Finding support before reaching that crisis point could play a vital part in saving the life of someone you care about.

“Suicide is preventable; it’s not inevitable.”

More information

World Suicide Prevention – Every year, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

More information on where to find help is available at the Help in Preston Peer Support page.

About Preston Wellfest Network

The Preston Wellfest Network was initially formed in 2019 and is currently made up of more than thirty organisations that have a specific interest in health and wellbeing in the Preston area.

Connecting with others and forming good relationships – with family, friends and the wider community – are important for mental wellbeing. Building stronger, broader social connections in your life can increase your feelings of happiness and self-worth. If we break the chain and talk about how we feel, there are people out there who can help.

Coordinated by the Community Projects Team at Lancashire County Council, with support from Preston City Council, the network provides a platform for those involved to share information, promote activities, and collectively plan events. For 2023, the network has decided to run events in support of Mental Health Awareness Week in May, Men’s Health Week in June, Addiction Awareness in July, World Suicide Prevention Day in September and World Mental Health Day in October.

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WARMING UP — Drew DeYarmon of Columbus warmed up for the Josh Merriman Foundation’s sixth-annual Golf Outing Saturday at the Steubenville Country Club and was among many competing in the tournament, which is named for his late cousin. — Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — More than 200 golfers converged on the Steubenville Country Club Saturday for a tournament held to educate the public about suicide prevention and the importance of seeking help when troubled at any time.

In its sixth year, the Josh Merriman Foundation Golf Outing involved a total of 52 four-member teams in two tournaments played in the morning and afternoon.

Bob Merriman, among founders of the annual event, said he has been very pleased with the level of participation during the years, noting there currently are 28 teams on a waiting list to compete in the future.

“Most of these teams have been here since it started,” said Merriman, who with his wife, Colleen, is among many volunteers behind it.

The foundation was established following the death, by suicide, of the Merrimans’ son, Josh, in 2017.

A 2014 graduate of Catholic Central High School, Josh was 21 and nearing graduation from Robert Morris University with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance and was looking forward to another season on the school’s hockey team.

His death was unexpected and his family hasn’t ruled out the possibility it was the result of multiple concussions he had sustained as an athlete.

Various scientific studies have found a head injury can cause people to suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.

But the issue came under closer scrutiny several years ago with the suicides of several professional football players who had sustained concussions.

But it is one of many mental health issues for which the foundation hopes to spread awareness.

The group has arranged for representatives of mental health agencies to speak to students and school personnel about matters ranging from coping with stress to identifying signs of mental illness or substance abuse.

The help is available at a time when many area schools have been touched by teen suicide.

But volunteers behind the Josh Merriman Foundation say they won’t come to schools unless they are approached.

“We’re not here to force ourselves. We’re just trying to help,” said Michael Barber Jr., who serves on its board.

He said mental health problems exist among all people, young and old, and from all walks of life, and it’s important that everyone comes to understand that.

Barber said too often people suffering emotionally are reluctant to come forward, and the foundation wants them to know seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

“They need to know that it’s OK to say I’m not OK,” he said, stressing the foundation’s mission is all about prevention.

Barber added the golf outing also is an opportunity to celebrate the positive impact Josh made on others.

While at Catholic Central, he played baseball, football and golf, was an avid poker player and has been remembered by classmates for his confidence, loyalty and humor.

“Josh touched a lot of lives in his short time here, and they have given back for him,” said Barber, who noted participants and supporters of the golf outing have included many who knew him personally.

This year’s event was coordinated by his son, Michael Barber III, who was one of Josh’s classmates.

Bob said he’s been moved by the numerous businesses and others who have supported it each year.

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced this week he has signed a series of bills aimed at strengthening insurance coverage for behavioral health services for Virginians, reducing the burden on law enforcement and enhancing the behavioral health workforce.

Speaking at Fauquier Health to a crowd of local law enforcement, state representatives, health care leaders and behavioral health care advocates from across the commonwealth, the governor said the new legislation is part of his “Right Help, Right Now” plan, which he unveiled in December.

According to Youngkin, the new laws will address issues such as reducing wait times for people being held under a temporary detention order, requiring health insurance providers to provide coverage for mobile crisis response services and allowing school systems more flexibility to hire social workers and school psychologists.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to a crowd of law enforcement, health professionals, state representatives and other stakeholders at Fauquier Health June 14 after signing a series of bills aimed at addressing mental health care in Virginia. 

James Jarvis, jjarvis@FauquierNow.com

“We’re taking critical steps for all Virginians, Virginians of all ages and schools, in the workplace and in our communities. We’ve committed more resources at the community level to create more robust statewide crisis infrastructure,” Youngkin said during the event.

The bills, which received near-unanimous, bipartisan support, will take effect July 1.

Youngkin said that in addition to the soon-to-be laws, he proposed a $230 million investment in the state’s behavioral health system to address the strain on state-run mental hospitals. The governor included the proposed funding in his revised budget, which Democrats and Republicans are still negotiating.

According to the proposal, the $230 million would be allocated for the following programs:

• $20 million to fund more than 30 new mobile crisis units to respond to 9-8-8 hotline calls
• $58 million to increase the number of Crisis Receiving Centers and Crisis Stabilization Units
• $15 million to expand the elementary, middle and high school-based mental health program
• $9 million to expand tele-behavioral health services in public schools and on college campuses
• $20 million for partnerships with hospitals for alternatives to emergency departments for crisis
• $9 million for transportation and in-hospital monitoring by law enforcement and other personnel
• $8 million for Serious Mental Illness housing
• $57 million for 500 additional Medicaid Waiver Priority 1 Waitlist Slots and increased provider rates
• $15 million in opioid abatement initiatives, including a campaign to reduce fentanyl poisoning among youth

Youngkin emphasized one of the key components of the “Right Help, Right Now” plan is providing law enforcement with more resources to effectively respond to situations involving adults or children experiencing a mental health crisis.

During the event, the governor lauded Bob Mosier, the previous Fauquier County sheriff and former secretary of public safety and homeland security, for helping implement the county’s mental health co-response model in which a licensed clinician accompanies Warrenton police officers and Fauquier sheriff’s deputies on calls where an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis.

“We know that, at the end of the day, a behavioral health crisis can criminalize a moment that may otherwise be avoided,” Youngkin said.

Bob Mosier recites the Pledge of Allegiance during a ceremonial bill signing event June 14 outside Fauquier Health.

James Jarvis, jjarvis@FauquierNow.com

Youngkin also underscored the importance of reducing the waiting time for law enforcement, who sometimes wait for hours at the hospital with an individual – usually experiencing a mental health crisis – who is being held under a temporary detention order (TDO).

“TDOs are important and necessary, but they also routinely capture so much time from our law enforcement professionals who could otherwise be out doing so many other things,” Youngkin said. “This bill creates a responsive process to release a TDO to streamline patient flow in our emergency departments and alleviate the burden and get faster care.”

Youngkin said “jails and hospitals” are not places to address mental health issues. Instead, he said the state should provide alternatives to help alleviate the burden on other institutions and offer better options to those in crisis.

“It’s about changing the way we think about behavioral health. It’s about changing the way that we’re structured. It’s about bringing resources. It’s about changing processes, changing the workforce, and bringing it all to a whole new level that the commonwealth of Virginia has not seen,” Youngkin said.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To recognize that and to help students, staff and their families finish the school year strong, Palm Springs Unified is hosting a self-care and wellness fair this Saturday.

When and where will the event be held?

When: 1-4 p.m. on Saturday

Where: 150 District Center Drive, Palm Springs

What will the event include?

PSUSD is inviting the community to drop in on Saturday for some or all of the event, which will include fun activities for children, including face painting, balloon animals, a bubble machine and raffle prizes.

There will also be yoga and tai chi to focus on physical wellness and workshops on coping with trauma and stress to focus on mental wellness.

Albert Pooley, a Hopi and Navajo social worker, will be the keynote speaker. He’ll focus on addressing generational trauma, healing and healthy relationships with parents and children.

More than 17 vendors will be present as well, including Desert Oasis Healthcare to provide free health screenings. Some vendors can help underinsured and uninsured community members access additional health resources.

The Desert Sun chatted with Danielle McClain-Parks, Palm Springs Unified mental health coordinator, and Renee Brunelle, director of risk management, about the district’s approach to community mental health. The following conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.

More: ‘It’s OK to not be OK’: Local experts, students shed light on pandemic’s effects on mental health

More: Center in La Quinta focuses on mental health for adolescents, young adults

Desert Sun: Why host the event now so close to the end of the school year?

McClain-Parks: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we really felt that since the pandemic we’ve seen an increase in mental health needs for students. But at the same time, we’ve also seen our educators and our staff working diligently to support our students. So we’ve also seen that they have needs.

Story continues

Last year was our first year back in person. This year is our first normal year back — if you can call anything normal. So, we’re still in the stage of just processing where we’ve been in the last few years and what our new normal looks like.

The need for something like this is huge because our teachers and our staff really have needed to focus on self-care to be able to maintain what they need to provide for our students.

And, we do sometimes see an increase in mental health crises towards this time of year. There’s a lot of stress and anxiety over grades, over graduation, over the future.

Brunelle: Especially for our special needs kids. The transition, all the change very quickly, creates a lot of impact on our students. So this is an important time of year we can at least try to help people adjust.

How do you make it comfortable for a staff member to feel OK going to their employer and admitting they’re having a difficult time?

Brunelle: I grew up in a generation where I was told, ‘Suck it up and move on.’ Well, you can’t do that anymore.

I want to create a culture where it’s OK to say that you have an issue. It’s OK to talk about it so that you can get the right help. I want mental health to be a comfortable topic. We want to make sure people have the resources they need before they feel burnt out.

I want to keep that open door between our providers and our employees. Getting the right people to the right resources is half the problem. I want it to be very seamless.

What are some roadblocks you see in the way of destigmatizing conversations about mental health that the district can address?

McClain-Parks: I think Renee hit on some of the generational differences and really just the direction that our culture is moving in — being more willing to talk about mental health needs without the stigma.

The more people we can connect with resources, the more we can support one another.

A wellness space at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School in Cathedral City, Calif., on May 25, 2022.

We have a number of resources to support students over the summer. We have telehealth options for therapy. We have staff available for students who need mental health support.

It’s really kind of a new way of looking at school districts. Not only do we teach kids, now we are like the conduit to medical providers. And it’s a big change. You have mental health curriculum and you have wellness centers at some of our school sites where kids can chill out and get help. We’re gonna try to do the same for our staff, as well. There’s a plan in place.

Jonathan Horwitz covers education for The Desert Sun. Reach him at jonathan.horwitz@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Mental Health and Wellness Fair coming this Saturday to Palm Springs

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Meigs County students organize About Hope Always summit to address teens’ mental health

By: Gabriel Scotto

Posted on:
Friday, May 5, 2023

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POMEROY, Ohio (WOUB) — A group of students from three high schools in Meigs County are coming together to host a mental health awareness day.

The event, About Hope Always (AHA), will be held May 12 in the Meigs High School gymnasium from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will feature guest speakers, a concert and educational games.

Katy Cox, a student at Meigs High School, said the idea for the summit came about while her and another student were interning for the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce. The event was initially pitched as a career fair, but the decision was made to organize an event that focused on students’ mental health, instead.

“[About Hope Always] came about when two of us were talking about mental health in our school,” said Cox. “We were hoping that we could put on some sort of event to benefit students at our school and that expanded into a countywide high school meeting.”

“We’re already friends, so it was really easy to collaborate about this subject because we knew each other,” said Claire Howard, a fellow Meigs High School student and chamber of commerce intern.

After presenting the idea to the chamber of commerce in December 2022, the chamber threw its support behind the idea. Students from Southern High School and Eastern Local High School soon became involved and it expanded into a countywide event with the support of school administrators

AHA comes at a time when teenagers are dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about school safety and the effect of social media on teenagers’ mental health.

Meigs High School where the About Hope Always event is set for May 12. [Meigs High School]“I feel like with the pandemic, everyone got really involved in social media, which led to more mental health issues,” said Andrea Mahr, another student organizer from Meigs High. “Not only is screentime not good for your physical health, dealing with comments on social media and interacting with people through a computer or through your phone is a lot different than doing so in person and it places a strain on your mental health.”

In addition to the chamber, Integrated Services, Health Recovery Services, the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, the Meigs County Health Department and the Gallia, Jackson & Meigs Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services have all pledged money towards the event, along with members of the community.

“At the end of last week, we have received about $8,000 and have more money that’s been committed,” said Amy Perrin, career councilor at Meigs High School and a member of the board of directors of the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce.

“We needed to raise about $12,000 to pay for speakers and T-shirts. We also have a hospitality room that’s going to be set up at the event for dignitaries,” said Perrin. “We’re going to be handing out ‘swag bags’ at the end of the event and inside the bags will be all kinds of resources, contact information and gadgets that different organizations have provided.”

Mahr emphasized the importance of teamwork between the student organizers, school administrators and the community in making this summit come to fruition.

“I think we’re a good team. We don’t put anyone down. It’s always been student driven and very supportive,” said Mahr. “Even though we’re looked at as a small community that might not have the resources to pull something like this off, we are such a tight-knit community that things like this are possible.”

According to Perrin, there have been discussions of making AHA an event that takes place every other year for high schoolers and doing an abbreviated version for students in middle school during off years.

“Hopefully, this is the beginning of something that we can continue and use as a model for future events,” said Perrin.

“The whole point of this event is to make people happy and excited and to give them the resources they need to know about themselves and reach out if they need to,” said Cox.

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Organizers estimate that about 100 parents attended the spring session of “Parent University” at Oak Park-River Forest High School, a community-welcome event that offered guidance on navigating mental health issues and topics post-COVID 19

Parent University, offered free of charge during the fall and spring, returned to its in-person format April 19 after being virtual since the start of the pandemic.

The three-hour informational that Wednesday night was the first in-person session since November 2019. The focus on mental health was apparent at this session.

“I wish every school district, every community could do this,” said River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan, of River Forest. “So many parents are struggling, so many kids are struggling, and even if you’re not struggling, you still want to create a sense of well-being in your home and I think people are searching for ways to do that.”

She added: “If we can help with that a little bit, as a school district, and as a community, as a township, as a mental health board, I think it’s our role to do so. We just think that it’s essential.”

Though Parent University was a collaboration of River Forest Township, Oak Park Township, Oak Park and River Forest School District 200, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 and River Forest School District 90, the event was open to the community — even other nearby municipalities.

Also featured were the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Positive Youth Development (a township agency), Oak Park Public Library, Thrive Counseling Center of Oak Park and the Metro Suburban chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Doug Bolton, a licensed clinical psychologist, was the keynote speaker, talking on “Self-Regulation and Resilience: Supporting Our Children in Their Hardest Moments” at the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Mental health post-pandemic was the focus of the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Mental health post-pandemic was the focus of the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Families from the towns of Oak Park and River Forest, as well as others nearby, attended the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. In addition to information tables and a keynote speaker, refreshments were served. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

“We have a great partnership with OPRF. We love supporting OPRF students and their families and staff,” said Andrea O’Morrow, education manager for NAMI in Oak Park.

NAMI offers, “a number of free services,” which are accessible because the pandemic “brought a lot of things to the surface,” O’Morrow said. “We’re seeing concerns that were already there … [the pandemic] brought a lot of things to visibility.

“We are seeing that teens are reaching out a lot more than they have in the past,” O’Morrow said. “I think that’s the result of education, I think that’s the result of people breaking stigma. Teens feel more empowered.”

At the Oak Park Public Library, “We get upwards of 100 students on a daily basis at the library,” said , who is known as “Mr. G” to many teen library patrons.

Alexander Gutierrez, teen services librarian at Oak Park Public Library, said after the pandemic, a lot of the students are feeling very isolated and secluded.

“Us, at the library, being that safe, social environment for them is really, really beneficial,” Gutierrez said.

Amanda Lopez, community education and engagement coordinator of Thrive Counseling Center, engaged with attendees to let “parents know what resources are available,” Lopez said.

The Parent University program began with keynote speaker and licensed clinical psychologist Doug Bolton, of Evanston, who spoke on, “Self-Regulation and Resilience: Supporting Our Children in Their Hardest Moments.”

Bolton explained he served more than 20 years in roles of psychologist and principal at North Shore Academy, a K-12 therapeutic school in Highland Park.

“Any time you can connect what’s happening in schools with parents, and create and share similar learning, and be partnering together, I think good things are happening,” he told Pioneer Press. “Just the fact that I could be a part of this was wonderful.”

Parent Kelly O’Keefe, of River Forest, was in the audience for Bolton’s keynote and reported being “so excited” to come and hear him speak at the event.

“Even though my kids aren’t in high school yet, everything that he’s talking about, as far as helping our kids be regulated, is important for all kids,” O’Keefe said.

Other sessions at the event included, “I Will Survive: How to Help Your Teen Through a Breakup and “Keep Calm and Carry On: Managing Expectations and Your Own Stress to Help De-escalate Your Child.”

“I think most of us tend to focus on academics, right, and not the mental health or social aspects [of] “our children, so I thought this was actually a pretty good way to kind of start that,” said Wavyne Belance, a parent.

Parents expressed gratitude for the information they received.

“I’m very thankful for people who come in and kind of share their time, and giving their expertise and trying to help parents cope. I’m very grateful,” said parent Monet Pasquier.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.

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Several hundred people are expected to take part in an annual fundraiser walk for the Collier County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Saturday, May 6.

A week out before the event in Baker Park near downtown Naples, 250 people had signed up so far and roughly $25,000 had been raised toward a $50,000 goal, Beth Hatch, chief executive officer of NAMI Collier, said.

Registration for the 21st annual Hope Shines Walk is at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. and wraps up at 11 a.m. with music and other activities at the park. Sign up at namicollier.org/events or call 239-260-7300.

NAMI Collier provides support to individuals and families in the community in a variety of programs and offers help navigating the complex system of care.  The affiliate was launched in 1987 and its budget this year is $2.4 million.

NAMI Collier operates support groups and provides direct services to children and families for mental health services and it serves as the referral agency for students through the Collier County School System and private child-care centers, Hatch said.

More:Rezoning for mental health center in Collier County approved; neighbors plan legal action

The physical and emotional toll from the pandemic and from Ian has doubled the number of people needing behavioral health services and crisis intervention, she said.

“Our numbers are staggering,” she said. “We have 450 active cases, families and children being navigated for (help). That has doubled from last year.”

More:Hundreds of patients impacted as crisis unit still closed three months after Ian

Annually NAMI screens 2,000 children aged three to five, and there’s been a 30% increase in kids aged 5 to 18 referred from the school district for mental health services. The local organization serves hundreds of people in the community each year: in the last 10 months it has helped 107 adults and 31 children with supportive housing.

This year’s walk on Saturday includes teams from organizations that are part of the Naples Children & Education Foundation’s Beautiful Minds network that includes the David Lawrence Center, NAMI, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Healthcare Network and Florida State University, she said.

Other teams are from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and civic organizations.

This year’s grand marshals are former Naples city councilman and magazine publisher Reg Buxton and his wife, Sandra Lee Buxton. Sandra Buxton is a Collier County Mosquito Control District commissioner and has served on the NAMI board, among other civic involvements.

Last year’s walk was held in January and it was bitter cold day with about 100 walkers and raised $12,000, Hatch said. The walk in 2021 was cancelled due to the pandemic.

To sign up for the walk, go to namicollier.org/events or call 239-260-7300.

NAMI is at a new location

NAMI has just completed moving to larger space at 5025 Castello Drive that enables all services to be under the same roof.

That will go a long way to making sure people get connected to the help they need, Hatch said.

The Sarah Ann Life Skills & Support Center is at the new location which provides social activities and daily lunch, outings and other support. The Sarah Ann program has 35 to 40 core members who participate on a regular basis.

Here’s a breakdown of key service areas:

• Screenings for children who are at risk of or who are already struggling with behavioral health problems and parenting classes and referrals for care. Known as “Health Under Guided Systems, or H.U.G.S. , the service receives funding from the Naples Children & Educational Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.
• The local chapter has supportive housing specialists who help people overcome barriers for housing and avoid homelessness. The chapter also helps clients get jobs and other resources.
• Florida Self-Directed Care allows program participates to make their own healthcare choices and actively participate in their own recovery with help from life coaches who establish measurable goals.
• CLEAR, which stands for Clearing the Way for Change on Florida, which is a peer-run service for anyone in search of connecting with someone who has experience in mental health recovery.

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Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have it all together in the most challenging of situations, and yet you watch on thinking that you would never cope? As a mum of four I, like most parents, tackle challenging situations on a daily basis, juggling the needs of my children while running a business supporting other parents in their physical and mental health, Parent Sanctuary. But this is not the only challenge I deal with. Just over a year ago we received a diagnosis that one of our children, Hero*, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Receiving a diagnosis of the genetic condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy was devastating for the family, as you would expect. This will bring great physical, mental and financial challenges during Hero’s lifetime. But we’re determined to make his life, and living with the condition, a positive for him, for the family and for other boys and families living with the massive impact Duchenne muscular dystrophy has.

One in 3,500-5,000 male births is affected by Duchenne’s. There is no cure; it is 100% fatal. On average boys will die in their 20s. It is caused by a lack of dystrophin that helps muscles grow and develop normally. Girls can be carriers and 1% of girls with the gene are symptomatic.

When time is short, you have to make the most of it.

Currently the impact the condition has is minimal – Hero has delayed speech, a waddling gait and falls frequently. There are other challenges because of his fatigue and his distress at not being able to keep up with his twin, and he frequently gets bumps to his head as his hands don’t come up quick enough to save his face. But on the whole he is a happy, normal three-year-old.

This will change.

Before he has finished high school, he will be in a wheelchair full time.

Fundraising and raising awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

As a family we want to raise awareness and money to help find a cure for DMD. To help find a medicine that will allow Hero’s body to generate dystrophin. To help find ways to help boys with DMD live longer. We are also acutely aware that he will need modifications and adaptions to the home and whilst the Disabled Facilities Grant will help towards some of the much-needed adaptions, we know we will need much more.

Adapting our current home will be possible, but externally access is difficult with a pram, let alone a wheelchair. If these issues can’t be resolved, this may mean moving home. So we’ve set up a family fund through Muscular Dystrophy UK. This fund will take 80% of any donations to find a cure for DMD and save 20% for the family for future needs.

But while fundraising is important, I really want to give back, to share some of my training in health and wellbeing, and as a transformational coach, to help others to know that they can overcome challenges too. Life can be fun, and you can have calm and confidence even when facing the stresses of life’s challenges.

Rachel and Hero. Image by by John Steel Photography

Charity event for Hero

We have therefore planned a fundraising day on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May, at Bagden Hall near Huddersfield. You can learn how to overcome difficulties using nature-based mindset, fitness techniques and ice-bath challenge, in this exclusive one-day event, supported by the HD8 Network. Tickets are from £65 and include lunch.

Graham, founder of The Resilient Lifestyle company, has agreed to donate his time to bring his Fitness4x4® – a unique combination of yoga, pilates, aerobics and resistance training – to help support the day and give participants a full body work out, strengthening the core, improving flexibility and increasing cardiovascular endurance.

I will lead the day with inspirational and educational learning opportunities, mindfulness and meditation and an ultimate challenge of an ice bath, which of course is completely optional! But also totally invigorating and could be beneficial for people with pain or emotional difficulties.

Join me for the launch of my son’s charity, Hero’s Fight Against DMD, and enjoy a day of mindset and motivation, and if you’re feeling brave enough… dip in an ice-bath. More details available here.

If you can’t make this day, why not enquire about sky dives and other challenges – simply send me a message to [email protected] and subject HERO.

*Hero is three years old and has a twin brother, Apollo. They have two older siblings – Thor (aged eight) and Artemis (aged six). These are all stage names, to preserve their privacy as they grow.

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