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Elizabeth Yen
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May is National Mental Health Month
Upcoming Events
May is National Health Month. For more than 50 years, National Mental Health Month has helped raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness.
Events are scheduled throughout the month of May to help residents understand depression, suicide prevention, and mental wellness; and empower them to help those in need. Please see below for details. If you know of other events not listed on this page, please let us know!
- Thomas Edison High School Walkathon, Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.
- The Inner World of a Suicidal Youth: What Every Parent and Health Professional Should Know, Monday, May 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Bridging the Gap: The Many Faces of Youth Depression, Tuesday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Personal and Professional Perspectives on Depression featuring Dr. Kay Jamison, Thursday, May 29 at 6:45 p.m.
Thomas Edison High School Walkathon
Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.
Please join students, teachers, and local residents at Thomas Edison High School’s Walkathon on Saturday, May 10. Hit hard by the suicides of a student and two alumni, and the diagnosis of a senior with Leukemia, students at Edison High School organized the “Got Hope? Walk-it-out!” Walkathon to raise awareness and restore hope to the school. Funds raised through the walkathon benefit the American Cancer Society and CrisisLink. Registration is only $10; walkers are strongly encouraged to pre-register by this Thursday, May 1st. Participants may also register the day of the event, beginning at 9am, followed by a ceremony commemorating each organization. CrisisLink’s Executive Director, Carol Loftur-Thun, will speak briefly and the walk will begin shortly thereafter.
What: The Thomas Edison High School Walkathon
When: Saturday, May 10, 9am.
Where: Thomas Edison High School Track
Cost: $10 to register
Other Details: Registration begins at 9am, pre-walk ceremony with brief remarks from CrisisLink Executive Director, Carol Loftur-Thun, to begin at 10am.
To register for the walk, please visit http://www.freewebs.com/gothopewalkathon/registration.htm
The Inner World of a Suicidal Youth: What Every Parent and Health Professional Should Know
Monday, May 12, 2008, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Millie Osborne, M.D., psychiatrist, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University, and author of The Inner World of a Suicidal Youth: What Every Parent and Health Professional Should Know, will give a talk to empower parents and professionals to identify and address signs of suicidal ideation, depression, and other dimensions in children's development.
This free event is on Monday, May 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Beatley Central Library, (5005 Duke St). The evening will include light refreshments, a book raffle and CEU certificates for health care professionals. Dr. Osborne, who is a mother of four, has more than 20 years experience helping people recover from self destructive behaviors. As Medical Director to the Arlington Community Services Board and editor of a healthcare newsletter, she mentors students, develops educational programs on suicide, and provides second opinion consultations.
According to Dr. Osborne, existing approaches to preventing youth suicide have had little impact on reducing the number of suicides and attempts—evidenced by the fact that suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 15 to 24. For every completed suicide by a youth, it is estimated that 100-200 attempts are made. Alexandria Community Services Board's System of Care Family Partner Program, in recognition of National Mental Health Month, coordinated the May 12 program. Funding was provided by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.
What: The Inner World of a Suicidal Youth: What Every Parent and Health Professional Should Know
When: Monday, May 12, from 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Beatley Library
5005 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
Cost: Free and Open to the Public
Other Details: CEU’s available for health care providers, light refreshments and book raffle.
Download an event flier [PDF] for more information or to share with friends and colleagues.
Bridging the Gap: The Many Faces of Youth Depression
Tuesday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Fairfax Partnership for Youth’s 4th Annual Mental Health Awareness Conference, “Bridging the Gap: The Many Faces of Youth Depression,” will be held Tuesday, May 13 at the Fairfax Community Church. The conference’s informative panel discussions and expert workshops will teach you how to recognize the signs of youth depression, to accept depression as a disease, where to find more information and resources, and how to take action and get immediate help. Terrie M. Williams, founder and president of The Stay Strong Foundation, will deliver the keynote address. A social worker by training, Ms. Williams, is an inspirational author and strong advocate for youth and those who battle depression.
CrisisLink’s Director of Community Education and Crisis Response, Mary Azoy, will moderate a panel and will conduct a QPR (do people know what this is?) training. CrisisLink will also have an information booth with details on our many initiatives to help youth and others battling depression, facing mental health crises, and seeking health & human services.
Space is limited, so sign up today! The cost is $30 and includes lunch. The conference will be held at Fairfax Community Church at 11451 Braddock Rd, Fairfax. Conference begins at 9am and ends at 3pm. Space is limited. To register to attend, please contact: Lauren Kimmell at 703-324-5535.
What: Bridging the Gap: The Many Faces of Youth Depression
When: Tuesday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Rd, Fairfax
Cost: $30, includes lunch.
Other Details: Please contact Lauren Kimmell at 703-324-5535 to register.
Download an event flier [PDF] for more information or to share with friends and colleagues.
Personal and Professional Perspectives on Depression featuring Dr. Kay Jamison
Thursday, May 29 at 6:45 p.m.
Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, will present “Personal and Professional Perspectives on Depression” on Thursday, May 29 at an event organized by the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria’s HOPE campaign. A leading authority on manic-depressive illness and someone who has experienced its exhilarating highs and catastrophic depressions first hand, Dr. Jamison’s unique dual perspective allows her to speak from the point of view of both a “healer” and one who is “healed.”
What: Personal and Professional Perspectives on Depression featuring Dr. Kay Jamison
When: Thursday, May 29 at 6:45 p.m.
Where: The Minnie Howard School Auditorium.
3801 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22302
Cost: Free. A book sale and signing will follow the presentation.
Parking: Free
Other Details: *CEU’s available for health care providers.
This event is offered to the community in recognition of National Mental Health Month as part of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria’s HOPE Campaign to fight the stigma of accessing mental health services. CrisisLink is a proud sponsor of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria’s HOPE Campaign and this event. Other sponsors include: Alexandria Community Services Board, Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center, CrisisLink and NAMI of Northern Virginia.
Download an event flier [PDF] for more information or to share with friends and colleagues.
CrisisLink saves lives and prevents tragedies every day by providing those facing life crises, trauma, and suicide with support, information, and links to community resources. Since 1969, CrisisLink has fielded over half a million calls, provided a quarter of a million referrals, and answered over 25,000 calls concerning suicide. For more information, please visit http://www.CrisisLink.org or contact us electronically or by phone at 703-527-6603.