So much is happening as we step into springtime. Life is full of flowers and pollen, and it seems like people are walking dogs and riding bikes and scooters everywhere I look. Here at the SMP Foundation, we have been busy working on a host of new opportunities in our new office! That’s right, we have a new office just a block away from the old one. We are now located at 4500 Colley Avenue in Norfolk and we hope to have our sign up soon.
In recent weeks, we have presented We All Have Mental Health for teens and their adults (parents, teachers, mentors,) and a well-received mental health program at ODU for prospective teachers. Thank you to Dr. Lisa Morin for inviting us to be a guest speaker in SPED 313! April and May will bring more opportunities to attend We All Have Mental Health. We will host the program online on April 29, and the Slover Library will host us online on May 1 and May 29. Sign up for one, or contact us to schedule your own!
Youth Suicide: Risk and Prevention is the topic of the upcoming conference we have been working on with CHKD, NAMI, The Chas Foundation, I Need a Lighthouse, The Barry Robinson Center, and EVMS. First, the documentary film, Kids in Crisis: You’re Not Alone will be shown on Thursday, May 6, at 6:30PM, followed by a panel discussion that includes our Vice President, Eric Peterson. The one day conference follows on Friday, May 7. In this virtual event, national and local mental health experts will discuss:
• Suicide prevention and self harm behavior among youth of color.
• Professional and family safety plans for lethal means.
• Suicide evaluation tools.
• Treatment overviews.
• The power of a lived experience.
• Prevention through teaching emotional regulation early.
• Building resiliency.
• Creating a road map to help families with children struggling with suicidal ideation. Continuing education credit is available for professionals.
