You Are Not Alone - Mental Health Series
Objective
The objective of We the People Warwick’s You Are Not Alone Mental Health Series is threefold:
Get community members talking about mental health to break down misperceptions and to promote healing and a more informed community
Identify innovative, community-generated solutions to promote mental health resiliency, including a focus on helping young people
Develop clear steps to address mental health needs in a way that complements and utilizes existing programs, human resources and volunteers in the community.
Part 1
You Are Not Alone - Part 1 - Foundations for Healing - November 10, 2022
On November 10th, 2022 at Mountain Lake Park in Warwick, We the People Warwick (WTPW) hosted a township-wide forum made up of panelists representing various sectors of our community who shared information and perspectives on the pandemic’s impact and the current state of mental health, helped to break down misconceptions about mental health, and explored possible community-generated solutions for healing, including a focus on helping young people.
Goals of Part 1 were:
To hear perspectives about mental health from community sectors other than your own
To learn how we might begin to talk about mental health to break down the common misperceptions and stigmas associated with mental illness
To consider available information and examples of possible solutions
To explore the existing local resources and experts available to our community as we contemplate paths forward toward healing
To share your own ideas about next steps moving into Part 2 of our You Are Not Alone Series
With the help of locally available experts, resources and each other, together we are confident that we can build a more informed and resilient community.
View a video of the event here.
Part 2
You Are Not Alone - Part 2 - Community Conversations for Connection and Caring - April 29, 2023
Following on from the significant attendance and positive feedback received from part 1 where we broke the ice and began the difficult process of dismantling the stigma associated with mental health issues, in part 2 we moved on to extend the conversation and continue the work to address the specific mental health needs here in Warwick. The vision is for a cross-sector coalition to identify the components of and pathways forward for building Warwick as a resilient, supportive, and inclusive community.
On April 29th, participants discussed ways the community can work together to improve prevention of mental illness and promote mental health and well-being.
Topics explored in breakout groups were:
Mental health education
Suicide prevention and intervention
Intersection of mental health and substance use
Mental health care
Youth mental health crisis
We the People Warwick encouraged participation by the entire Warwick Township community and we had a good turnout. Thank you! Mental Health issues in our communities, particularly for our youth, are complex and challenging. But we can continue to come together to increase our understanding and raise awareness.
Part 3
You Are Not Alone - Part 3 - Mental Health in a Changing World: Where do we start in our community? - May 18, 2024
A key insight the discussions of parts 1 and 2 highlighted is the crucial role of maintaining human connections amidst rapid societal, technological, and environmental shifts. The aim of part 3 was to empower residents to tackle complex mental health challenges by forming groups focused on issues they find significant.
As such, Part 3 took the form of a mental health action forum untitled Mental Health in a Changing World: Where do we start in our community? It took place on Saturday, May 18th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Buckbee Center in the Village of Warwick. We are pleased to report that it was passionately attended and the weighty discussion was aided by four local mental health professionals to whom we are grateful.
Despite the topic’s weightiness, within the short period of two hours, the group (of about 30) was able to meet the goal of identifying two mental health themes that attendees could get behind to take action. We attribute this accomplishment in part to the process of structured dialogue - facilitated small group discussion focused around a central question - and to the facilitators thereof.
Two community groups emerged from the forum:
One to address the impact of technology (particularly smartphones and social media) on mental health, particularly that of youth and
One to focus on resources and programs to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of Warwick’s diverse residents
Why Technology? ~ In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to escape the constant barrage of information and stimulation from screens. Constant exposure to screens can have a negative impact on our mental health, leading to feelings of anxiety, stress and depression.
Why Social Emotional Health? ~ Social emotional health is the ability to understand and manage our emotions and to form social connections and relationships with the world around us. Strong social emotional health enables an individual to integrate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a way that supports greater health and well-being in life.
If you would like to join either of these teams, please reach out to wethepeoplewarwick@gmail.com and we will connect you with that group’s lead. We the People Warwick is looking forward to supporting these teams as they take next steps in the community.
Together, we can make a difference.