The community conversation panelists were:
Crystal Allen – CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dayton Dr. Tristin Ball – Director of Prevention and Early Intervention for the Montgomery County ADAMHS (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services) Board Dr. Kelly Blankenship – Associate Chief Medical Officer for Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Children’s Hospital of Dayton Dr. Barbara Marsh – Director of Counseling and Wellness Services at Wright State University Dr. Greta Meyer – CEO, Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties
“Mental Health Issues: A Community Conversation” is co-sponsored by the Dayton Daily News, the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association (GDAHA) and Wright State University. The event will be held at the Wright State University Student Union. Seating for the Community Conversation is limited and requires free registration on Eventbrite. To attend, register here.
“This event is a great example of how our community can come together to support one another and ensure we have the resources needed to help those experiencing mental health crises,” said Dr. Amy Thompson, Wright State University president and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Thompson noted that mental health issues are on the rise among young people and are now the second leading cause of student dropout at the university level.
“Through collaborations like this, along with our campus-wide Mental Health Task Force and enhanced counseling services, we are working diligently to ensure Wright State students have the mental health support they need during their academic years and beyond,” Thompson said.
The goal of this community event is to help residents understand that mental health issues can affect anyone at any point in their life.
“As community and business leaders, we have a responsibility to speak out about the challenges in the continuum of care and bring new resources to our communities,” said GDAHA CEO Sarah Hackenbracht. “If we don’t rise to the challenge now, the mental health crisis will continue to grow and the consequences will be devastating for all affected.”
The Dayton Daily News is launching an in-depth investigation into the mental health crisis, with a focus on area children. Over the course of several months, reporters will explore the issues and challenges and highlight the work of local organizations and advocates addressing the problems. The series, called “Mental Health Matters,” is available free to all readers online, thanks to the support of Dayton Daily News subscribers.
“Many individuals, advocates and organizations are working to form a coalition to advocate for change and solutions,” said Ashley Bethard, editor in chief and chief content officer of the Dayton Daily News. “Through this public service journalism, we hope to share stories of these solutions that can serve as inspiration and models for other parts of Ohio and the country.”
directions:
For more information and to reserve your spot at “Mental Health Matters: A Community Conversation,” please register here.
Content: The Importance of Mental Health – Community Conversations
Date and time: Tuesday, September 17th
Location: Wright State University Student Union, Apollo Room
Time: 5:30 – Resource Fair doors open; 6:00 – Keynote speech and discussion begins
RSVP: Free registration on Eventbrite is required as seating is limited. Click here to register.
