For starters, this event was successful because of the following individuals/organizations: Palms of Sebring, Palms Home Care, Chad Berry, vendors, panel members, the community, and of course the best hubby ever.. Mike. THANK YOU
A BIG THANK YOU to Senator Denise Grimsley for showing your support. I'm looking forward to us joining forces and starting to bring awareness to mental illness. Thank you for coming.
A BIG THANK YOU to Senator Denise Grimsley for showing your support. I'm looking forward to us joining forces and starting to bring awareness to mental illness. Thank you for coming.
On May 21, 2016, from 1pm-3pm at the Palms of Sebring the first “Mental Illness Lets Talk About It” event occurred. The event was attended by about 80 community members as well as vendors that provide services to the mental health community and a panel of experts. Around 1pm, the event started with the MC handing the mic to the panel of mental health professionals. They all introduced themselves and spoke about their qualifications. The panel of experts ranged from childhood mental illnesses to addiction to dementia. After the introductions, the first two guest speakers (a married couple) came up and discussed their personal journey with mental illness. One discussed his venture as an individual with mental illness and the wife talked about her experience as a caregiver. The second guest speaker also a panel member disclosed his own mental illness diagnoses.
Once the guest speakers were finished, the audience was provided with a mic and given an opportunity to ask the panel questions pertaining to mental illness. Some statements/questions asked were about PTSD, depression, anxiety, lack of faith based support, resources, etc. Towards the end of the event, those in attendance were asked to fill out an evaluation form and given an opportunity to pray with a chaplain if they wanted to.
There's a long story behind this event. There's a reason why I decided to start becoming an advocate for the mental illness community. We may complain about the lack of services. We may complain until we are blue in the face. But it is not until we rise up and take a stand that the barriers will not be torn down. That the stigma will be no more. That the taboo regarding mental illness will disappear.
May there be other events just like the one I organized. May there be other advocates for mental illness. Just like Sandy Billings said at the event “If Maribel is unable to organize this event next year, then someone else can do it.” Amen!!!!! Lets stop complaining and start doing.
These are the vendors and panel members that were at the event.
Dr. Mark Ashby
Palms Home Care
The Palms of Sebring
Cornerstone Sam Gray (suicide support group) 863-382-4563
Crossroads
Highlands Mental Health Support Recovery Group (Heather Sparks)
Lisa Rodriguez LLC (dementia)
New Beginnings Heartland (Felecia Dozier)
Recovery Centers of Florida (addiction)
Sandy Billings
Tri-County
Dr. Mark Ashby
Palms Home Care
The Palms of Sebring
Cornerstone Sam Gray (suicide support group) 863-382-4563
Crossroads
Highlands Mental Health Support Recovery Group (Heather Sparks)
Lisa Rodriguez LLC (dementia)
New Beginnings Heartland (Felecia Dozier)
Recovery Centers of Florida (addiction)
Sandy Billings
Tri-County
