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Mental Health Awareness

A Summer Solstice and ‘Interconnected’ Energy at the On Your Mat For Mental Health Yoga Event!

June 22, 2017 by Inside Press

 ‘A calm, peaceful, introspective evening’ lead by Beryl Bender Birch continued MHA of Westchester’s work in spreading awareness and removing the stigma

By Amanda Kraus

Nearly one in five Americans experience mental illness first hand. Considering this staggering fact, it is likely that everyone is affected by psychological diseases in one way or another. We all know someone–a sister or brother, parent, friend, or coworker–who struggles with one or more of the myriad of mental illnesses. But if mental illness is so prevalent in our society, then why are we so reluctant to talk about it?

In order to get Westchester County thinking, The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) hosted an “On Your Mat For Mental Health” yoga event, in which Beryl Bender Birch, a renowned yoga instructor, lead a yoga class for all ages and abilities, in White Plains’ J Harvey Turnure Memorial Park.

It was meant to be; the rain held out, giving way to a beautiful, temperate evening, that also happened to be the summer solstice and the International Day of Yoga. The park was graced by the soothing, unique sounds of the Brooklyn-based group, House of Waters, preceding the yoga class, as well as a Yoga Marketplace, which featured local vendors, businesses, and organizations.

Before handing over the stage to Beryl, Charlotte Ostman, the CEO of MHA shared a few words. The purpose of hosting this event was to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental illness as well as funds for their organization, and most importantly, to start a conversation within the community. “Shame, stigma, and discrimination have no place in our organization,” said Ostman. What better way to bring the community together than through yoga, a practice that not only benefits us physically, but also mentally and spiritually.

“Yoga isn’t just what you do on the mat, it’s what you do in your community to keep mentally and physically healthy,” remarked Birch upon gracing the stage. She spoke about the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga, and how it can help us keep in touch with ourselves and the present moment. Accompanying the conversation of mental health is the spread of practicing yoga. When we can acknowledge that yoga and health are undeniably connected, we can make more progress in our communities and our lives.

Even Beryl couldn’t deny the incredibly interconnected energy that was flowing throughout the park.  I even forgot that we were in the middle of a bustling city. It was a calm, peaceful, introspective evening, that unfortunately had to draw to a close. But it doesn’t have to end there; the conversation is just starting. It takes one to influence many, to influence many more. A community is only great if it supports everyone in it. Since everyone is affected by mental illness, it is important that we get everyone talking about it. Once we normalize mental illness, we can begin to rid of its stigma.

Inside Press summer intern Amanda Kraus is a rising junior at Tulane University studying English, Philosophy, and Psychology.

Filed Under: New Castle News, Westchester Tagged With: Beryl Bender Birch, Get on your Mat for Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness, The Mental Health Association of Westchester, Yoga

An Evening of Conversation and Song with Judy Collins

August 31, 2016 by The Inside Press

The Mental Health Association of Westchester invites you to an evening of Conversation and Song with Legendary Singer-Songwriter Judy Collins

Judy Collins

This intimate evening of conversation and song will provide the audience with a glimpse into the life of acclaimed Grammy-winning artist Judy Collins. Listen as she shares her deeply personal story, touching upon depression, the suicide of her son and her own recovery from attempted suicide.

The event will be followed by a special VIP reception with Collins, which includes refreshments and dinner by the bite.

Proceeds from the event benefit MHA’s vital mental health services.

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

Please join us as Judy Collins lends her voice to raise awareness for mental health

Thursday, October 13, 2016
7:00 pm

The Emelin Theatre
153 Library Lane
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Sponsors

Gold Record
Westchester Medical Center

Chart Topper
Clarfeld
New York Presbyterian
Drs. Robert and Ann Mandel Laitman
Kate S. and Michael Lombardi
Gerald Stern and Carla Pasquali
Yvonne Tropp and Alan Epstein

Top 40
Regeneron
Janet Z. Segal
Meryl A. Allison and Elisa E. Burns, MD
Nora and Jonathan Contract
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Patrice Ingrassia and Christine Broda
Peter and Michele Sloane

Media Sponsors
Inside Armonk
Inside Chappaqua
Westchester Magazine
WHUD

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Judy Collins, Mental health, Mental Health Asssociation, Mental Health Awareness, MHA of Westchester, The Emelin Theatre, Westchester

Women Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness: A Meaningful Conversation

June 19, 2015 by Janine Crowley Haynes

By Janine Crowley Haynes

Ellen Levine, Suzanne Golden, Carole Mallement and Lee Woodruff
Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines with the NY Women’s Committee Co-Chairs Suzanne Golden & Carole Mallement and Author, Advocate, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff  (photo by Chad David Kraus)
Borensteins:Laitmans
President & CEO Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein and his wife Lisa Borenstein with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman and her husband Dr. Rob Laitman of Bedford, NY

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 15, 2015)—The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (the Foundation) held its second annual New York Women’s Luncheon, Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness, at the Metropolitan Club. “The Women’s Luncheon is designed to pay tribute to those women who are willing to speak candidly and personally about mental illness and how they inspire others to speak out against the stigma from brain and behavior disorders,” states the Foundation’s President and CEO Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D. “Now it’s our turn to be proactive in breaking the silence,” says the Foundation’s New York Women’s Committee Co-Chair Carole Mallement. Addressing the topic of stigma and how to face mental illness without fear of judgment departs from the Foundation’s standard programs that focus on science and research. 100 percent of dollars raised for research are invested in grants leading to advances and breakthroughs in brain and behavior research to help better understand the causes and develop new ways to effectively treat brain and behavior disorders. Since its inception in 1987, the Foundation has raised $328 million to fund over 4,800 grants to more than 3,800 leading scientists at 518 universities and medical centers around the world.

 

Levine:WoodruffConversation
Ellen Levine in conversation with Lee Woodruff at the Foundation’s New York Women’s Luncheon (photo by Chad David Kraus)

Approximately 300 supporters were in attendance to listen to a conversational exchange between Editorial Director Ellen Levine of Hearst Magazines and Advocate, Author, Philanthropist Lee Woodruff. Levine received the first annual Media Award by the American College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology for highlighting mental illness in numerous articles published in Good Housekeeping. Woodruff discussed a family history of mental illness. She recalled, when she was younger, there were no real in-depth conversations or explanations as to why her mother was “in bed in a dark room under the covers.” Her father would simply say her mom was sad and needed to feel better.

Woodruff:AnnLaitmanFinal
Westchester resident Lee Woodruff with NY Women’s Committee Member Dr. Ann Laitman of Bedford, NY

Woodruff shared her personal struggle with situational depression that ensued after husband Bob Woodruff sustained a critical brain injury from a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006 while reporting for ABC’s World News Tonight. Woodruff acknowledged the traumatic event took its toll on her own mental health. Woodruff described her situational depression as a secret sadness and that it came as an enormous relief to share her story. “There needs to be a national message of openness without shame or stigma attached,” states Woodruff. When Levine asked Woodruff what helped her to push through the secret sadness, Woodruff referred to the four Fs—family, friends, faith, and funny—mentioned in her book, In an Instant, wherein Lee and Bob Woodruff chronicle their inspirational family journey back to recovery.

Today, the Woodruffs are fully focused on giving back in a big way. Bob and Lee Woodruff founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation that has raised more than $20 million to help veterans successfully reintegrate into their communities and help veterans receive critical longterm care. The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s website mentions that, sometimes, injuries sustained can lead to a series of other issues — unemployment, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. “Our veterans deserve our full support,” states Woodruff.

 

Click here to learn more about the Woodruffs and the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Click here to learn more about the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident and author My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World

_____________________

Women’s Committee:  Faith Rothblatt (VP of Development at the Foundation), Lillian Clagett, Renee Steinberg, Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein (President & CEO), Carole Mallement, Suzanne Golden, Jill Sirulnick, Beth Elliott and Lilian Sicular
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NY Women’s Committee: Faith Rothblatt (VP of Development at the Foundation), Lillian Clagett, Renee Steinberg, Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein (President & CEO), Carole Mallement, Suzanne Golden, Jill Sirulnick, Beth Elliott and Lilian Sicular (photo by Chad David Kraus)
Woodruff:AnnRobLaitmanFinal
Lee Woodruff with Drs. Ann & Rob Laitman
LaitmansSingleFinal
Drs. Rob & Ann Laitman, cofounders of nonprofit organization Team Daniel Running For Recovery From Mental Illness

 

 

 

Duran2
Reporter Shelley Goldberg from NY 1 with Chappaqua resident Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Public Relations Lauren Duran
Bennett:Haynes
Janine Crowley Haynes, freelance writer, with Publisher & Editor Grace Bennett of Inside Chappaqua & Inside Armonk Magazines (photo by Chad David Kraus)
BBRFReception2
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation 2015 NY Women’s Luncheon at the Metropolitan Club
MetClub2ndFloor
The Metropolitan Club

Filed Under: Westchester Tagged With: 2015 NY Women's Luncheon-Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness, BBRF 2015 NY Women's Luncheon, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness, depression, Dismantling the Stigma of Mental Illness, Ellen Levine, Hearst Magazines, In an Instant, Lee Woodruff, Mental Health Awareness, Mental Illness, Team Daniel Running for Recover from Mental Illness, The Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Metropolitan Club

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