| We have recently experienced Passover or Easter, and we am so happy that we can share good news regarding what is being done by Faith Connections on Mental Health. You know that the needs of those who have mental health challenges are great, only now increased by COVID 19. So…let’s start with YOUTH. Sunday, May 2, 3:00 to 4:30 This program for teens, tweens, and parents was planned by Youth Faith Connections for Mental Health (YFC), a new youth task force of Faith Connections. YFC has an Instagram page at @yfc4mentalhealth, password: yfc4mh2021. This event is planned to help your congregation promote Children’s National Mental Health Month. At our January youth event on anxiety we had over 140 registrants. Some of the attendees loved the question and answer period at the end of that excellent program, and this May program was planned to focus entirely on questions and answers. It is so wonderful to have young people stepping up to help others and, if the need is there, to help themselves. Please help promote this event by submitting this blurb for your congregation’s bulletin, newsletter, etc: Blurb for bulletin: YFC for Mental Health presents a free Zoom program for tweens, teens, & parents. Ask Questions, Get Answers: This Zoom program for tweens, teens and parents will feature a panel of two therapists with expertise in adolescence who will answer questions you want answered — questions on anxiety, depression, loneliness, worry about exams, whatever is on your mind. You can submit questions during registration and in the Zoom chat. This program will be in webinar format. Participants and questioners will not be identified for the purpose of confidentiality. (Add whatever information you like about how to register, whether you want individuals to contact you for more information, or to send them to the YFC Instagram at @yfc4mentalhealth. Registration info is there.) See YFC flyer below. Thursday, May 6 at 8:30 to 4:15 Many of you have been waiting for news as to how to register for FCMI’s ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Father Greg Boyle, best-selling author and founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program, will keynote the 10th Annual Faith Connections on Mental Illness Conference: Hope and Healing: Faithfully Practicing Community Inclusion. Blurb for bulletin: (please copy the above paragraph, personalize, and post in your own bulletin, newsletter, etc.) See FCMI flyer below. Saturday, May 22 at 9:00 to 1:00 Now let’s continue with FCMI’s NAMIWalk Team. Please copy, personalize, and post in your own bulletin, newsletter, etc. Blurb for bulletin: To raise awareness for mental illness, NAMIWalks Your Way will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 as a VIRTUAL event. Faith Connections on Mental Illness has invited (name of your faith community) to join their team. There is no cost to participate. Individuals who raise $100 in contributions will receive a free NAMIWalks T-shirt from event organizers. Even if you can’t walk, donations are gratefully accepted. Go to this link to register or donate: https://www.namiwalks.org/team/41415 Learn more at FCMI-NC.org or contact (Name of Faith Community contact to be inserted here) ____________ at [_____@_____.com]; [xxx-xxx-xxxx] or Kim Batson: kmccbat@aol.com; 919-265-9820) See NAMIWalk flyer below. Sunday, May 23 at 4:00-5:30 pm. Survivors of Suicide Talk Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the USA. Over 45,000 die each year, 5 people every hour, 123 people each year. Our congregations are not immune to this epidemic. The Triangle S.O.S. will be meeting virtually to allow friends and families from all over North Carolina to share their experiences and hope with each other in a friendly and warm environment. The Survivors Talk is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a friend or family member to suicide or cares about someone who has. Visit TriangleSOS.org to learn more. (please copy, personalize, and post in your own bulletin, newsletter, etc.) Blurb for bulletin: Survivors of Suicide Talk is those who have lost someone they loved to suicide. Learn about their struggles. Survivors will talk about their journeys, share their experiences, and remember their loved ones. Family members and friends will be there for support and comfort. It is an effort to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. It is a time to highlight suicide prevention and awareness. Join us for a very special, memorable community event! Receive encouragement from our caring community! “I became aware of Triangle SOS in 2016 after we lost our child to suicide. The weekly support group meetings have been healing for me. SOS has been helping families like mine every day for almost 30 years.” Geetha Balagopal “We joined the SOS Walk in 2019 to support a dear friend who lost a family member to suicide. We were surrounded by very compassionate people from all walks of life who are taking their pain and turning it into hope.” Gove and Barbara Elder Please visit the website for updates – www.TriangleSOS.org Thank you all, Barbara Elder |
