by Ann Wondergem
YOU ARE INVITED
My six year old granddaughter loves to get mail. She excitedly calls us, telling us she got the holiday card we sent her. She likes to get an invitation to special events, especially birthday parties. So today, I am sending you an invitation to a very special event. An event that most of the 300 people who attended the March 2014 Community Conversation about Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug Abuse (AODA) recommended be offered in our community – an informational resource fair.
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND the first ever Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug Abuse (AODA) Resource Fair. Please join me on Thursday, April 30th between 4 and 8 p.m. at RCS Empowers located at 1607 Geele Avenue in Sheboygan. This is event is free, so bring your family, bring your friends and bring your neighbors to learn more about mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse programs and services: What educational material and programs are available? How do I know if I or someone I love may need help? Who do I call? What do I do? What can I do if I am feeling overwhelmed? Information to answer these questions and more information on community resources will be available – all in one location.
Through the leadership of the Healthy Sheboygan County 2020's Mental Health Committee, the resource fair will offer something for everyone. Over 40 vendors will be available to share their resources, you will have an opportunity to ask questions to learn more about help for yourself or a loved one and there will be a KIDS CORNER to keep the children busy while you visit the vendors to learn more about available resources. You will have an opportunity to win an iPad and other door prizes plus food and refreshments will be available. Again, did I mention, this event is free.
At 6 p.m. there will be an open Question and Answer session with a panel of professionals. This is your opportunity to come and ask your questions and listen to the information that will be shared at this Question and Answer session.
This free event would not be possible with the generosity of sponsoring organizations including Aurora Health Care, Homes for Independent Living, St. Nicholas Hospital/Prevea Health, Mental Health America in Sheboygan County, RCS Empowers, Sheboygan County Service Providers, United Community for Youth, Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 and the United Way of Sheboygan County.
Organizations and individuals continue to meet and are working to address other priority areas identified during the 2014 Community Conversation about Mental Health and AODA. As an example, United Way will be piloting a program this fall in cooperation with two local school districts. The PATH (Providing Access to Healing) program for students began in one school district in the Fox Valley area in 2008 and is now offered in ten school districts and 23 schools in the Fox Valley. United Way of Sheboygan County in collaboration with two local school districts and local organizations, which will provide the therapy services, will be implementing this successful school based mental health program to improve access to care for children. Because mental health matters, we will continue to collaborate and work to address the priorities outlined during the Community Conversation.
So mark your calendar for Thursday, April 30th, what better way to kick off – May is Mental Health Awareness – month then attending the Mental Health and Alcohol & Drug Abuse (AODA) Resource Fair. See you there!