Open Heart, Open Mind: Active Listening – Day #17
Contributed by: Jackie Davis, MHC StoryKeeper In January 2020, I was part of the team that created and launched the MHC StoryKeepers campaign. If you aren’t familiar with the term, a StoryKeeper is an individual who has pledged to Be There, Listen, and Protect the stories they are told. Everyone has a story to tell […]
Armed Forces Day – Day #16
Today is Armed Forces Day and we at MHC would like to give special thanks to all of those who serve and have served our country. As the pandemic continues, service members around the country (and the world) have been deployed to aid in the fight against COVID-19 by distributing PPE, setting up field hospitals, […]
Mental Health Advocate Leverages Music to Open Minds & Hearts – Day #15
Contributed by: Kim Pita, MHC Board Chair When musician Kenny Mercer was performing on the Vans Warped Tour, he met many activists raising awareness about a variety of causes. The activism he witnessed across the country inspired him to become a mental health advocate right here in Connecticut. Mercer learned about Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) […]
Never Regret Anything That Made You Smile- Day #14
Contributed by: Suzi Craig, Chief Strategy Officer Simon Wiesenthal, Austrian writer and Holocaust survivor, once said, “Humor is the weapon of unarmed people: it helps people who are oppressed to smile at the situation that pains them.” Mr. Wiesenthal’s wise insight sheds light into the role that humor plays in our ability to feel a […]
A Tale of Three Program Participants – Day #13
At 2:00 p.m. today, Write On! program creator and lead instructor, Janet Reynolds, hosted a virtual panel discussion “A Tale of Three Program Participants” with Write On! alumni Lauren, Freddy, and Kim. These alumni were originally booked to perform at MHC’s Annual Fundraiser, the Art of Wellbeing: Truth be Told on May 1, 2020. While […]
Telling Tales Meredith – Day #12
Meredith knows all about the challenges of getting the right mental health diagnosis. She was in high school when she first began struggling. “I struggled in school, with friends. Emotionally it was hard,” she says. It wasn’t until her fifth hospitalization that she was finally diagnosed with PMDD, premenstrual dysmorphic disorder. Even with a diagnosis, […]
Moving Stories – Day#11
While we are only on our 11th day of #31DaysofWellness, I think it’s safe to say that we are all beginning to learn two very important facts. First, we all have a story to tell. Second, they all have value, purpose, and power behind them. Storytelling is not limited to the written or spoken word. […]
My Mother, My StoryKeeper – Day #10
Contributed by: Jackie Davis In the spirit of the theme of storytelling I wanted to share a piece of my own story on this wonderful occasion, Mother’s Day. My mother is a beautiful soul, an amazing person, a fabulous friend, and my all-time go-to StoryKeeper. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, a StoryKeeper is someone […]
Just Breathe – Day #9
Contributed by: Remi Kyek, MHC Chief Experience Officer “Self Care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you” – Katie Reed I think it is fair to say that the past several months have been challenging to each of us, in many different ways. We often become so caught […]
Michael Lo Presti and His Passion for Running – Day #8
Contributed by Rob Michalik, Mental Health Connecticut Board of Directors Some people run to achieve a goal. They complete a marathon to check off an accomplishment on their bucket list. For Michael Lo Presti, who incredibly completes 10-15 marathons/ultramarathons per year, running isn’t simply about goal achievement. It is his passion. Fortunately, we here at […]
