May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there will be several activities going on all month  to bring awareness to the realities of chemical brain disorders.

Mental Illnesses are not curable at this point, but they are recoverable and people can live healthy productive lives while managing their illness.  The Pima County Peer and Family Support Coalition is sponsoring a “Town Hall Meeting” to promote a bright future for our youth currently receiving behavioral health services. “Journeys of Peers and Families,”  an event to enlighten our community about the realities of mental health recovery, will engage attendees with real life stories from a panel of adults and youth currently in recovery.  Since recovery also depends on a support system,  family members of those with mental illnesses will also share their compelling  standpoint.

The evening begins at 6:00 pm and will be held at C.P.S.A, at 2502 N. Dodge, Suite 130 in Tucson. Light refreshments will be served  Reservations are requested to (520) 770-1197 and child care will be provided if required, so please request upon confirmation.

The event is supported by local non-profits, MiKid, HOPE, Inc., and CFSS.

(Below is the Proclamation making May Mental Health Awareness Month)

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Today, tens of millions of Americans are living with the burden of a mental health problem. They shoulder conditions like depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress and bipolar disorder — debilitating illnesses that can strain every part of a person’s life. And even though help is out there, less than half of children and adults with diagnosable mental health problems receive treatment. During National Mental Health Awareness Month, we shine a light on these issues, stand with men and women in need, and redouble our efforts to address mental health problems in America.

For many, getting help starts with a conversation. People who believe they may be suffering from a mental health condition should talk about it with someone they trust and consult a health care provider. As a Nation, it is up to all of us to know the signs of mental health issues and lend a hand to those who are struggling. Shame and stigma too often leave people feeling like there is no place to turn. We need to make sure they know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of strength. To find treatment services nearby, call 1-800-662-HELP. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers immediate assistance for all Americans, including service members and veterans, at 1-800-273-TALK.

Our commitment cannot end there. We must ensure people have access to the care they need — which is why the Affordable Care Act will expand mental health and substance use disorder benefits and Federal parity protections for 62 million Americans. For the first time, the health care law will prevent insurers from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition. The Act already requires new health plans to cover recommended preventive services like depression screening and behavioral assessments for children at no extra cost to patients.

My Administration will keep building on those achievements. Earlier this year, I was proud to launch the BRAIN Initiative — a new partnership between government, scientists, and leaders in the private sector to invest in research that could unlock new treatments for mental illness and drive growth throughout our economy. We have made unprecedented commitments to improving mental health care for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. And we have proposed new funding for mental health programs that will help teachers and other adults recognize the signs of mental illness in children, improve mental health outcomes for young people, and train 5,000 more mental health professionals to serve our youth.

Mental health problems remain a serious public health concern, but together, our Nation is making progress. This month, I encourage all Americans to advance this important work by raising awareness about mental health and lending strength to all who need it.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2013 as National Mental Health Awareness Month. I call upon citizens, government agencies, organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise mental health awareness and continue helping Americans live longer, healthier lives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

It’s been a horrible five days. I doubt anyone in the community has not been effected by the tragedy of last Saturday.  Personally, I have had moments of intense grief, not just because I knew some of the victims, but because of my personal losses due to mental illness. Some of the images and stories have sent me back to that time of pain and anguish. We still don’t know that the carnage was caused by a young man suffering from a serious mental illness, but all signs are pointing in that direction. The pain being experienced by the parents and families of the victims and of the accused shooter have to be excruciating.

As I did back in 2005 after my son died, I am trying to refocus my energy on healing, positive thoughts.  We all agree that negative rhetoric and threats of violence have increased over the last several years and I think we all can agree it’s not the direction we want to go in.  Like previous National tragedies, there is a collective sadness in our country today and I  hope that we can embrace this united energy to refocus and march forward into a more compassionate, tolerant society that appreciates each other’s differences and has empathy for those that are our most vulnerable.

As I watch President Obama speak this evening, I will be thinking of the beautiful lives lost and the potential for a new beginning for our country.  Learning about the “Angels” that will be present at the funerals give me hope.  See more information on them at:  http://www.tucsonmemorial.org/help.html

There is an excellent article on healthy grieving that I think can help at

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100268947&GT1=31009

A listing of online resources to assist in dealing with the tragedy in Tucson has been posted on the CPSA website and is on the SAMHSA website.

I consider myself a pretty positive person.  I’ve faced plenty of tragedy in my life and still feel optimistic about the future.  Some people would call it “faith.”  I’m not sure what it is as I’m not necessarily a religious person, but I definitely believe in the greater good.

But, this catastrophic Gulf oil spill has gotten me down.  I can’t imagine what it must be like for people who live in the area affected. And that area is growing day by day.  If you listen to some doomsday “sayers” this is just the beginning of a global crisis that could change the world as we know it. One can’t help but get nostalgic thinking about the days most of us have spent frolicking on white sand and splashing in the ocean. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from family vacations spent on the beach.  Many times it was on a Gulf of Mexico beach.  Same is true for my daughter, except that it was usually the Sea of Cortez.

What I can say for a fact is that the Gulf of Mexico is experiencing the biggest threat to it’s environment in history and it makes me want to cry.  When I first heard of the oil spill, I had this sinking feeling in my stomach.  Some how I knew intuitively this wasn’t just another oil spill. Now, almost two months later most of the world knows it’s the worst environmental disaster in history.  Scary part is, we still don’t know how to stop it.

A few facts we do know:

• 11 people lost their lives in the initial explosion
• Efforts to cap it or plug it have been unsuccessful
• Relief well may or may not work
• Dispersant’s being used are toxic
• Skimming works in a very small area
• Small portion of the oil is being recaptured
• Thousands of people’s livelihoods have been disrupted

No one really knows how this will end. President Obama said in his speech on Tuesday that we should all pray.  Some made fun of that suggestion.  It reminded me of the bumper stickers that say “Visualize Peace,”  or the adage “the power of positive thinking.”  So,  I think we should all visualize a clean Gulf – it can’t hurt! Thinking about a clean beach and aqua blue seas can definitely lighten my mood!!