|
Say Goodbye to the Blues
A Community Journey to Emotional Wellness
PURPOSE
The purpose of the event is to help demystify mental health treatment for the residents of New Orleans and encourage them to seek help for post-Katrina emotional challenges.
DATE: Saturday, March 8
TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
COST: The event is FREE and is open to all New Orleans residents
PLACE: UNO Lindy Boggs Conference Center
Participants will be able to take part in discussions on: "Dealing with the Blues," "Parenting Children with Post-Katrina Emotional Challenges," "Caring for the Elderly with Post-Katrina Emotional Challenges," "Emotional Challenges in the Faith-based Community" and "Helping the Helper."
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown that post-Katrina depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder among hurricane survivors might be the most devastating and long-lasting impact of the storm. The number of suicides has tripled in Orleans Parish, while reports of domestic abuse, substance abuse and fights have increased despite the reduced population of the city. Many of these actions are directly attributed to post-Katrina environmental and mental disorders.
AGENDA
9:30 – 9:50 | Registration and Coffee |
|
10:00-10:45 | Opening Welcome |
|
The purpose of this session is to get everyone excited and interested in the day's events. Instead of the formal, more academic-style panel discussion, this opening session will introduce the idea of mental health as something broader than disease and let people know that it is okay to get help for emotional challenges including anxiety, distress and stress. Local experts will speak about the current emotional health issues in New Orleans and introduce the short- and long-term benefits of participating in the day’s sessions.
**************Information Booths Open All Day****************
|
11:00-11:45 | Participants will choose one of the following sessions:
|
| "Parenting Children" | Vanice Packer-Zenon, MSW, GSW
|
| "Dealing with the Blues" | Dr. Denese Shervington
|
| "Faith-Based" | Pastor Torin Sanders, LCSW
|
12:00-12:45 | LUNCH (provided at no cost) |
|
(Providers who are interested in the American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program's Emotional Support Program (ESP) or who have questions are invited to meet in Amphitheatre 154). Since many providers are familiar with ESP, a provider-only lunch room will be set up where providers can come and discuss their experiences, address any questions or concerns with the program or learn about ESP for the first time.
|
1:00-1:45 | "Helping the Helper" | Dr. Cirecie Olatunji
|
| "Caring for the Elderly" | Robin Brou Hatheway, RN
|
| "Parenting Children" | Vanice Packer-Zenon, MSW, GSW
|
2:00-2:45 | "Helping the Helper" | Dr. Cirecie Olatunji
|
| "Faith-Based" | Pastor Torin Sanders, LCSW
|
| "Dealing with the Blues" | Dr. Denese Shervington
|
3:00-3:30 | Closing Session – Raffles, Giveaways and More
|
|
Children 2 ½ years and older will have separate supervised activities.
|
|
