Oceanside, Island Park Letters to the Editor

Promote mental health

To the Editor:

Mental health — it’s the very core of our wellbeing, and yet, we treat it as if it’s a world unto its own. A complex world that can sometimes be a place of confusion for those suffering on the inside — as well as those who are watching from the outside. So what’s the answer? It is awareness and education, support and understanding, resources, and access to proper and timely treatment. To remove all shame and stigma, and do so because people of all ages are emotionally suffering invisible diseases that desperately need to be addressed and treated in the same manner as any serious physical disease. Emotional suffering that I have both experienced and witnessed throughout the course of my life, leaving me to say that enough is enough. We need to share our voices to inspire change as we champion on behalf of our own mental health and wellness, our state of well-being.

So with this said, I would like to announce that all are invited to join our Project Challenge Mental Health and Wellness Community Resource event, on April 20 at the Long Beach Public Library, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. To connect with each other and with the more than 25 different agencies that will be attending. To share conversation and resource information relating to all mental health and wellness topics such as depression, suicide prevention, addiction and recovery, Hurricane Sandy-related stress, caregiver stress, stress management and so much more!

To thank all the agencies, organization and local providers for their willingness to participate, including, our guest spokesman, Steven Dodge from the SLATE Project. To thank the Long Beach Herald, the Long Island Tribune, the City of Long Beach, the Long Beach Library, as well as each and every person who helped to get the word about our event out there, for the more people we reach, the more we can possibly help. To thank Project Challenge for hosting our event, and to all volunteers who have helped and continue to help by giving so generously of themselves for the benefit of all. And lastly, and most importantly, to thank those who have inspired my heart and this event with their own incredible strength of spirit, heart and courage!