Dear friends,

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!

This month, and every day of every month, I salute Mental Health Heroes around the world - people like Dave Mowry, who share their story of struggle and resilience to humanize mental health conditions, and give hope to others that they are not alone, and that they too can get well and live well.

Please read Dave's message about living well, listen to his message of hope, and share it with your family, friends, colleagues and clients.
 
Together, we can promote awareness that mental health conditions are part of the human experience. And, with effective treatment, self-care and social support, people can recover and thrive. 

Wishing you wellness ,
Founder & President
ASHA International
LIVING WELL by Dave Mowry
What is wellness? It is different for everyone. For some wellness may be living symptom free. For me, wellness is having survived my dark days and lost years and learning to be happy. That begs the question, what makes me happy?

The first thing on my to-do list every day is be happy. Every morning I ask myself what is going to make me happy today. Then I close my eyes and the things that need to be done and that I want to do bubble to the surface.

Happiness is being outside of my head and doing something nice for someone. Happiness is doing the things that need to be done even though they are difficult. Happiness is being present for my wife and kids. And most of all happiness is peace of mind. That for me is wellness.

Dave Mowry is an author and stand-up comedian who has performed  40 Stand Up for Mental Health shows sharing his story and shattering the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, one joke at a time. And in his book, No Really, We Want You to Laugh.
Dave's Message of Hope


In his TED talk, Guy Winch makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene - taking care of our emotions, our minds, with the same diligence we take care of our bodies. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
April 7, 2017
Let's Talk About Mental Health
Mental Health Education Program
Presented by Bekah Miles & Gayathri Ramprasad
Canby High School, Canby, OR

April 24, 2017
The Power of Sharing Your Story
Keynote presented by Gayathri Ramprasad
PEERPOCALYPSE Conference, Seaside, OR

May 3, 2017
Be the Hope 
Keynote presented by Gayathri Ramprasad
If It's History, It's Our Story.
Diversity Day Presented by Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
Melody Ballroom, Portland, OR

May 12, 2017
Living Proof: A Mental Health Advocacy through Storytelling Workshop
LifeQual Center for Health & Healing, Beaverton, OR
Workshop Facilitator: John Capecci
 
June 1, 2017
Storytelling Saves Lives
Presented by Gayathri Ramprasad
This is My Brave Leading Ladies  Women's Mental Health Symposium
National Press Club,  Washington D.C.


DO YOU HAVE A RECOVERY STORY?
Stories have the power to inform, inspire and transform lives. 
If you have a recovery story, please  submit your story today. Your story will  give HOPE to people struggling with mental health issues around the world, and inspire them to recover and rebuild a healthy, meaningful, productive life.
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