March 30, 2017 - In This Issue:
Spring Into Action
By Trish Larsen, Executive Director

Spring is here and we are busy! As we enter our most active time of the year, from working with school clubs to program presentations and conferences, we are constantly reminded of the importance of addressing the emotional needs of teens and young adults. The ultimate goal of everything we do is to encourage those we meet to reach out for help when needed. All year our speakers have been visiting schools across the country to help students better understand the issues they may be facing. We normalize the conversation about mental health, dispel stigma, and - most of all - promote acceptance.  The great news that I can report is that schools are just as committed to achieving these goals as we are, evidenced in the ever-growing list of new and repeat requests for programs. I hope you have been following our progress on our social media pages and through our updates, and will be encouraged and energized when you see all the places we have been.

Happy Spring!
Grace & Gratitude
Grants Received since 
November 2016
BeWellPhilly Health Hero Challenge
Curaterra Foundation
Fox and Roach Charities
How I Decide
Rite Aid KidsCents
Santander
United Way of Greater Philadelphia
Regional Updates
MASSACHUSETTS
Minding Your Mind is becoming a familiar name throughout Massachusetts schools and mental health organizations. We see positive results from our outreach and are consistently speaking with new schools and groups who have sought us out after hearing about our work.
Karen Albert, Community Education and Outreach Manager, participates in a health fair at St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, MA.

Since the official launch in mid-November, we have made presentations at the following schools and organizations:

Andover High School
Belmont High School
Berkshire School
Boston College High School
Coolidge Middle School
CHNA 18 (West Suburban Community Health Network Area)
Dover Sherborn High School
Lexington High School
Matignon High School
McLean Hospital
Miss Hall's School
Newton High School South
NITEA Boston University
Parker Middle School 
Tewksbury Memorial High School
Understanding Disabilities
Winthrop High School

An additional 34 schools have expressed an interest in booking a presentation. To respond to the high demand, we have identified five Massachusetts-based speakers who have begun the speaker training process. We are excited to have found wonderful young adults with powerful stories of triumph to share with the students of Massachusetts.  

Ali leading speaker training in Boston, MA.

If you are or know of someone who may be qualified and interested in becoming a young adult speaker for MYM Massachusetts, please contact Jan Latorre-Stiller, Regional Director.   
VIRGINIA

MYM speaker Melissa (center) connects with students and and teachers after speaking in Richmond, VA

Minding Your Mind's work with the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation continues to be one of our most successful collaborations. Our speakers have become "regulars" at area high schools and peer mentoring programs have grown as a result. Schools and organizations recently visited by MYM include:

McShin Foundation
Trinity Episcopal School
Goochland High School
Atlee High School
The Steward School
Collegiate School 

Drew presenting at Trinity Episcopal School
  
We look forward to planning together for even greater outreach during the 2017-2018 school year. 
Throughout the month of May, we will be engaging people above and beyond our everyday work to raise awareness of mental health issues and assure those in need that help is available. 

What Can You Do?

Bring a MYM program to your school or community.
There's still time to book a speaker for May!  

Follow us on social media (see below) and share or retweet our posts to your friends.

Attend one of our upcoming events (see below).

Make a donation. The MYM Gift Pyramid shows how every gifts of all sizes allow us to make a difference in the lives of students and families in the areas we serve.
Events Upcoming  Events

April 12 
A Celebration of Life: Vanderbilt University

April 22 

April 29
Lacrosse PlayDay in Memory of Trent Stetler @ Haverford High School

May 18 

May 20 

SocialMediaFollow MYM on Social Media
Click any icon to follow MYM!
MYM hosts an active and ever-growing community of individuals who are interested in making mental health education a priority in our society. We have over 4,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and there is always room for one more. On our networks we share information about events, partnerships, and timely news and articles relevant to the mental health community. Come see what everyone is talking about! 

   
Support MYM While You Shop!
Every time you shop on Amazon.com you can help support Minding Your Mind.  Simply use the Amazon Smile web address:    
Enter "Minding Your Mind" as your charity and checkout as you normally would. Thank you for your support!
The purchase of these fun and stylish phone cases support great causes - including Minding Your Mind! With over 40 different designs to choose from, they're perfect for personal use or a unique gift.
Each Tyawear scarf, tie, and pocket square
includes imagery and motifs which illustrate Minding Your Mind's mission. Proceeds from purchases of the Minding Your Mind Collection are donated to our programs. To shop, please visit Tyawear.com.
Brian Aikens , a teacher in the  Spring-Ford Area School District  and founder of  Insight Minds , is running another wonderful awareness-raiser to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues. As in years past, he has generously designated Minding Your Mind to receive the proceeds from sales of this shirt. Please support his campaign to "Talk About It" and support Minding Your Mind programs at the same time.Shop now.

Looking Back LookingBack1
Philadelphia Phillies Honor MYM
Drew Bergman Speaks at Ceremony
Michael Garuccio, clubhouse operations, and Kathy Killian,  vice president, human resources and customer services for the Phillies, congratulate MYM executive director Trish Larsen and speaker Drew Bergman, with a special assist from the Phillie Phanatic

MYM was honored to have been among the elite group of organizations honored by Phillies Charities as a 2016 Community Hero. Each year, in honor of #GivingTuesday, Phillies Charities salute a number of local organizations who are making an impact in the Phillies' major league and minor league community. MYM was recognized on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the Phillies Charities, Inc. Holiday Giving Party at Citizens Bank Park, where we also received a grant to help us continue our work in bringing mental heath education to students in the greater Philadelphia region. "There are many charities in our communities doing admirable work to better the lives of others," said Lyn Montgomery, President, Phillies Charities, Inc. "It is our hope that Phillies Charities' involvement will enhance the efforts of these charitable organizations providing vital services to individuals and families in need."
 

MYM's Drew Bergman addresses the audience at the Phillies Charities Holiday Giving Party.
MYM & Ricky Williams Reunite to Discuss Social Anxiety Disorder
On March 8, MYM visited Michigan to host our highly successful "No More Running: Living With Social Anxiety Disorder" forum in Bloomfield Hills, just outside of Detroit. Having received rave reviews for this collaboration when it was held in Philadelphia last year, MYM again partnered with Ricky Williams and the Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety (AKFSA) to bring this important message to another audience.

 Dr. Joe Himle, Ricky Williams, Carl Antisell
 
Over 300 people gathered to hear Ricky personally tell his well-known experience of living with social anxiety. MYM's Carl Antisell presented his journey through anxiety and substance use disorder into long-term recovery. Dr. Joe Himle of the University of Michigan provided information on successful treatment strategies. The three speakers held a Q&A session with the audience afterward and received praise for the evening's program.
Philadelphia Flyers Host MYM Night
Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Flyers welcomed MYM speakers and supporters to participate in Minding Your Mind night during a home game at the Wells Fargo Center. We were able to distribute information and material during the arrivals and the Flyers ran a PSA then interviewed MYM speaker Drew Bergman during the pre-game show. We are grateful for the support and exposure the Flyers organization has provided to us consistently throughout the years. 
This enthusiastic group welcomed fans as they arrived for the game.  L-R: Andrew, Forrest, Ali, Jon, Jessica.
MYM's Drew is interviewed during the pre-game show.
LookingForward2 Looking Forward
Announcing Second Annual 
A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia
Join Us on May 18 @ Union Trust
The first  A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia  last year was incredibly successful in raising both awareness and funds for Minding Your Mind. Every day, our speakers work with students and see the impact MYM has on their lives. One of those students, Bill Savage, St. Joe's Prep '13, Vanderbilt University '17, was inspired to create a campaign and enact change of his own in the area of suicide prevention. He will be honored with the 2017 Emerging Minds Award, presented by Rick Williams of 6ABC News. 
Enjoy musical entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, open bar, raffle, and the opportunity to meet Minding Your Mind speakers. Your presence will help Minding Your Mind programs reach more students and inspire the next campaign for change. Learn more and purchase tickets today!
MYM Clubs a Hit at 
Local High Schools
DID YOU KNOW...that Minding Your Mind can help students establish and run a Minding Your Mind club at their middle schools, high schools, and universities? We sure can - we even have one at a school in Michigan! MYM Clubs are active in the following locations:

Bedford High School (MI)
Beverly Hills Middle School
Bonner Prendie High School
ChiChester High School
CogWell: UPenn
Dallastown High School
DCTHS Folcroft Campus
Drexel Hill Middle School
Esperanza Academy Middle School
Haverford Middle School
PA Leadership Charter
Radnor High School
Spring-Ford High School
Springfield Middle School
Upper Merion High School
York Suburban Senior High School

How It Works
The MYM Club is an opportunity for students to bring mental health awareness to their middle schools, high schools, or college campuses. The clubs  are designed to be run by students with at least one advisor who is a member of school personnel. The student leaders create initiatives to conduct various activities within the school community that follow the Minding Your Mind mission of ending stigma and destructive behaviors associated with mental health issues. The activities support the school community in becoming more aware of their own mental health, encouraging peer support, learning the availability of helpful resources, and spreading the message that no student is alone in any struggle. Any interested student or teacher can contact Melissa Hopely to discuss how to make this happen at your school.

Awareness & Support
The MYM Club at  Chichester High School  
Activities recently completed the "ge t the monkey off your back" activity. All of the students in the school are provided a leaf, on which they can write what is stressing them out and have it anonymously posted on the Monkey Tree - removing the "monkey from your back" and putting it in the tree, where it belongs. The visual is left up to show students that many others have similar feelings; the realization comes that they are not alone. It's a wonderful and effective activity that the clubs can run any time during the year, but seems especially helpful during exams or times of transition. 

Identity & Fundraising
The MYM Club at Radnor High School is partnering with the Semper Fi Club to sponsor the Soldier On 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 20, in support of Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal of the 5K is to raise awareness of the mental health issues that can impact veterans and their families. The run will take place on the Radnor High School campus and will be a great way to engage the entire community in outreach and fundraising. Proceeds from the race will be donated to Minding Your Mind and the Semper Fi Fund. Learn more and register here.
LookingForward2 Ovations
"We have been hearing from students, faculty, staff, and parents who were at the presentation about how moving Drew's talk was and how it has inspired them to speak up about their own struggles or to be more proactive in the struggles of others. As a result of the presentation, a number of students saw their Guidance Counselors after and are currently seeking professional help. Students - even those who were not able to attend - have explicitly asked if we could have MYM back soon, and faculty have expressed a desire to make this a yearly event and to continue the discussion throughout our whole community."
Boston College High School (MA)

"Katya was well-prepared, enthusiastic, and provided a beautiful presentation for our first-year students. She discusses difficult topics with grace." 
Gwynedd Mercy University (PA) 

"Melissa was amazing. This was the fourth speaker I've had in my classroom this year (and all have been superb) but she was the first one that spoke about OCD and bullying. My students were riveted by her story and her experiences. She was upbeat, relatable yet unique in her experiences and presentation.  I couldn't be happier with the experience I have had with Minding Your Mind from the cooperation in booking speakers to the subject matter to the presentations. Every school should make this a part of their curriculum."
Chatham High School (NJ)

"I have utilized MYM speakers for the National Association of Pupil Services Administrators, PAPSA, the state affiliate, and my own William Penn S.D. Without exception, the speakers have been professional and spellbinding, leaving the audience enthralled. They bring the mental health problems they discuss to life. Always powerful to any audience."
NAPSA

Read more testimonials about our programs and speakers... 
Featured Speaker
Andrew Onimus is an accountant by trade, a mental-health hero by choice.
Andrew Onimus had it all entering his senior year at Muhlenberg College. He was a starting defensive back for the football team, named captain of the track and field team, and already had a full-time position upon graduation with a large accounting firm in Philadelphia. However, an injury in the first game of the season and increasing pressure to perform caused drastic changes for him. Andrew hid his struggles from family and friends as he pretended that everything was fine, until he experienced suicidal ideations and reached a point where he desperately needed help. With a strong support group behind him, Andrew and his family began taking the needed steps toward recovery.

It was difficult at first, but over time Andrew began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. He turned to exercise and positive coping skills to work through his inner anger and pain. As his life started to gradually improve, Andrew shared his story with many of his teammates, classmates, and friends in the hopes that it would help someone else. The overwhelmingly positive feedback he received inspired him to continue talking about mental health.

"Speaking as part of Minding Your Mind has been an awesome experience so far," shares Andrew. "I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to share my story of struggle, recovery, and hope to thousands of students. MYM's goal is undoubtedly working; we are reducing the stigma around mental health issues and letting others know that help is available and they are not alone."


To schedule a Speaker Program or Mindfulness Session for your school or community, please click here.