The facts surrounding mental health are at once alarming and sobering. This year, 1 in 4 individuals will be diagnosed with a metal health illness. In fact, depression alone now costs the USA about $210.5 billion annually. In addition, suicide stands as the tenth leading cause of death for those aged 10 and up in the USA, and it remains the second leading cause of death for people under the age of 34.

Sadly, many today are still uncomfortable with discussing mental health topics and seeking help. Regardless of the myriad of unfounded stigmas surrounding mental health, the facts above must be addressed.

People are hurting. Millions of them. And it’s ok to talk about it. Whatever you are going through, no matter what your feelings tell you, the fact is help is available and you matter!

This conviction lies at the heart of Mental Health Awareness Month. Since 1949, May has been set aside as a special occasion to garner awareness for all aspects of mental health. This year, IMPOWER is excited to put its own spin on the month as we put out special content related to mental health awareness.

All month long we will be featuring special content across all of our social media channels and in our email newsletter, including special original comic art by artist and illustrator Lucy West.

There will also be special events with some of our community partners and friends, including AdventHealth, The American Heart Association Orlando Chapter and ClinCloud.

Below is a schedule of what we have planned for the month. If you have not done so already, subscribe to us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

We hope you enjoy what we have to offer this month, and trust that our resources help you better understand the needs and realities surrounding mental health.

Each week in May we will be spotlighting a different IMPOWER program, along with facts and resources related to them, on our social media channels.

• Week 1 – May 3-9 (Child Well-being Services, Adoptions and The Village)
• Week 2 – May 10-16 (The Grove and Substance Misuse)
• Week 3 – May 17-23 (Outpatient Behavioral Telehealth)
• Week 4 – May 24-30 (Prevention Programs)

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we have teamed up with some of our community friends and partners for special events and initiatives throughout the month including…

Comics with a Purpose – The Art of Lucy West
All month long

Each week of the month we will be posting original comic art by artist and illustrator Lucy West. Each features a story related to one of IMPOWER’s programs and a mental health related topic. Be sure to share!

Taking Care of Yourself to Help Others, Coping with Compassion Fatigue – IMPOWER and AdventHealth
Thursday May 6th, 12:00pm to 1:00pm ZOOM

If you’re an AdventHealth employee be sure to tune in to this interactive webinar featuring IMPOWER’s own Judy Charuhas, LMHC, NCC, CCTP and EMDR Certified Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Outpatient Services and Registered Mental Health Counselor Shampa Davie, M.A.

They will be discussing signs related to compassion fatigue and the importance of taking care of yourself to help others. The presentation will be available to the general public in a recorded format after May 6th. Thank you to our wonderful partners in AdventHealth’s Employee Health & Well-being division for allowing us to co-host this event for your staff!

Presenters: IMPOWER, Judy Charuhas, LMHC, NCC, CCTP and EMDR Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Outpatient Services and Shampa Davie, M.A. Registered Mental Health Counselor

Food and Mood: A Discussion on Nutrition, Mental Health and Heart Health – IMPOWER and The American Heart Association Orlando Chapter
Tuesday May 18th, 5:00pm to 6:00pm ZOOM.

RSVP here.
Or join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89273193256
Meeting ID: 892 7319 3256
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbeUfkbV6L 

Join IMPOWER and The American Heart Association Orlando Chapter as we discuss the relationship between nutrition, mental health and heart health. Viewers will learn about the connection between food and feelings, as well as safe, effective and affordable evidence-based holistic approaches that increase wellness and prevent common mental health and cardiac problems. Time will be set aside for Q&A at the end, and helpful resources will be provided for individuals and families.

Presenters: IMPOWER, Lori Parrs, Licensed Outpatient Teletherapist and Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider and Jeremy Waller, MBA Marketing and Community Outreach Manager (Behavioral Health). American Heart Association Orlando Chapter, Jimmy Clarity, Director of Health Strategies.

Staying in the Moment: Lessons on Mindfulness – IMPOWER and ClinCloud
Thursday May 20th, 5:00pm to 6:00pm ZOOM.

RSVP here.
Or join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89098518117
Meeting ID: 890 9851 8117
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keyJaiSD3M

Life seems to be moving at an increasingly rapid pace, with information hitting us from all angles at all hours of the day. How can we keep our emotional tanks full with so many things competing for our attention? How can we focus on what really matters? How do we ensure that we keep our heads above the water?

These questions and more will be addressed in this joint presentation in which attendees will learn everything there is to know about practicing mindfulness and staying in the moment. Our friends at ClinCloud will also be discussing research as a care option, and mindfulness from a clinical perspective. Time will be set aside for Q&A at the end, and helpful resources will be provided to all attendees.

Presenters: IMPOWER, Kasie Wallace, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Jeremy Waller, MBA Marketing and Community Outreach Manager (Behavioral Health). ClinCloud, Sarah McLeod, M.S. Clinical Rater and Mental Health Provider and Mike Martinez, Psychometric Rater.