Mental Health Awareness Events

BARTOW, Fla., May 1 – Peace River Center (PRC), a licensed and nationally accredited, non-profit regional provider of behavioral health care and victim services is hosting three events during May to help educate the community and increase awareness of resources during Mental Health Awareness Month.

On May 10, PRC is partnering with The Well, located at 114 E Parker St, Lakeland 33801 to host a Coffee Chat and presentation, “Understanding the Baker Act.” From 8:30 to 9:15 am attendees will have a chance to network with others, ask PRC clinical staff questions about mental health. At 9:15 am Kirk Fasshauer, PRC’s Director of Crisis Services and Cassie Carver, PRC’s Senior Clinical Director will lead a discussion on The Baker Act, Florida’s mental health act. Misconceptions and misunderstandings often surround The Baker Act, so these experts will share what the Act is and is not, how it works, and how it helps families and individuals. They will also share PRC’s and law enforcement’s roles in the local Baker Act process. Registration for the Coffee Chat is encouraged, www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/mham, but community members may also drop by during the event.

On Wear Green Day, May 16, PRC is asking the community to not only show their support but help spread the word about an important resource, the organization’s Emotional Support and Crisis Line, which is available 24-hours a day by calling 863.519.3744. “You never know who might need that important resource, which is provided at no cost to the community,” said Peace River Center CEO Williams. “That’s why in addition to showing our support of mental health awareness by wearing green, we want everyone to share the crisis line too.”

On May 19, community members can attend PRC’s Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) Community Summit. The large-scale event will take place from 8:30 am to 5 pm at Lake Crago Recreational Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr, Lakeland, FL 33805. The MHAM Community Summit features Mental Health First Aid training, a skills-based course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Attendees can file independently for up to eight (8) continuing education units (CEU) credits for the training. More detailed information, including a few of the common national accrediting bodies, is available online. The MHAM Community Summit will include lunch and is provided at no cost to attendees thanks to grant funding from Florida Blue Foundation. Registration is required and available by visiting www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/mham.

Those interested in learning more about these events can visit www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/mham or call 863.519.0575.

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