May event focuses on mental wellness
WAYNESBURG – May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Alarmingly, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in four adults and one in five children may suffer from a mental health disorder in each given year.
With major depression ranking first and ahead of heart disease in first-world countries, Greene County Human Services asked Cornerstone Care to host a day of awareness. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10 at Cornerstone Care’s Waynesburg Center at 501 W. High St.
The day is titled “Mental Health Month Education Fun Fest” and will showcase Cornerstone Care’s annual speaker series, educational materials, activities and light refreshments. The event is free to the public.
Activities will include word searches, coloring pages and informational sheets made available for the public. Cornerstone Care staff will hand out green ribbons to each participant in recognition of mental health awareness. Green signifies new life, new growth and new beginnings.
Speakers will begin at 9 a.m. covering a wide range of topics:
• 9-10:30 a.m.: Sun Swala, licensed clinical social worker – “Good Sleep” – A guide to improving sleeping habits and how this affects your overall mood and health.
• 10:30 a.m. to noon: Dr. Stephen Neal – “Understanding Your Psychiatric Medications” – Explaining each class of medication and how these meds are used to treat symptoms associated with Mental Health Diagnoses
• Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Dr. Lisa Lewis – “Trauma and Your Brain” – How past emotional trauma can actually affect how your brain functions and processes thoughts and emotion.
• 1:30 to 3 p.m.: Dr. Melissa Albert- “Runaway Anger” – Conflict Resolution and Mood Dysregulation
Individuals interested in attending the free event or scheduling an appointment at the Waynesburg office may call 724-627-4309 or visit www.cornerstonecare.com.