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Become a Mental Health Advocate with DLC this Summer

Educate Yourself
They say knowledge is power, and there is a lot to learn when
it comes to mental health. Knowing what to do and where to go
when help is needed is a good place to start.
Learn the signs and symptoms of common
mental health concerns so that they can be
addressed as early as possible. You can also
identify challenges your community faces in
addressing mental health, such as state and local
funding challenges, and make a difference when
the time to vote comes.
Aome Rogers, a mental health advocate and
a member of the DLC Advocates, shares her
journey to mental wellness and finding purpose
DLC Advocates NAMI Walk Aome Rogers as a volunteer. “Mental illness can be residual
from years of trauma, or it can simply be genetic. Mental illness
by Scott Burgess, can be a child struggling with anxiety, or a senior citizen dealing
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, President and CEO with years of isolation,” explains Aome. “It is important that we
ental health is an check on our family, friends, and colleagues, and know the signs of
incredibly important mental illness.”
Mpart of overall health. DLC offers a variety of awareness and prevention programs
that can help bridge the gap between mental health and the
With a growing number of
community, such as Mental Health First Aid. On July 29, from
Americans experiencing mental
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., DLC will offer Youth Mental Health First Aid.
health symptoms, we need to
Through this interactive training, attendees will learn to identify
join together to advocate for
concerns by better understanding signs and
improving access to mental health. Together, we
symptoms and risk factors. By focusing on
can realize our shared vision of a nation where
real-life scenarios, participants will develop,
anyone affected by mental illness can get the and practice, the skills learned to support and
appropriate support and quality of care to live intervene in crisis situations. To learn more,
healthy, fulfilling lives. visit DLCenters.org/YMHFA.
David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Talk About it
Health (DLC), Collier County’s only Share what you learn. Openly and
comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health objectively talking about mental health
provider serving children, adults and families, contributes to breaking the stigma. Reassure
has launched a Mind Your Mind initiative that provides resources, others that it is okay to seek assistance for mental health concerns.
positive content, tips and exercises for enhanced mindfulness and “If my story can help just one other person—because things
wellbeing. Mind Your Mind also features opportunities to support can and will get better—it makes sharing my journey worthwhile,”
community mental health—whether at home, school, or workplace. added Aome.
Support Organizations
To learn more visit, DLCMindYourMind.org.
There are many ways to support organizations. You can attend
Here are four ways you can become a mental health advocate
a fundraiser, make a donation, or promote their services by word
with DLC this summer:
of mouth and social media so that others know what resources are
Practice Self-Care
available.
Care for your mental health by taking the time to de-stress
To support mental health, you can become a member of the
and relax. By using healthy practices to cope with emotions and
DLC Advocates. The primary goal of the DLC Advocates is to
challenges, you will be better prepared to care for others and face spread awareness through a variety of social and fundraising events.
difficulties. The next DLC Advocates event is their wildly popular Sunset
In honor of national Mental Health Awareness Month, DLC Cruise on June 16 at 6 p.m. aboard the Naples Princess.
will host its first-ever Mind Your Mind Community Day on To learn more, visit DLCAdvocates.org.
May 14 from 8 - 11 a.m. at Cambier Park in downtown Naples. "I found my purpose in life again,” said Aome. “As a member
DLC welcomes the community to join together in an action- of the DLC advocates, I met like-minded people and they became
packed morning that will celebrate health, wellness and community. my friends and also a support network, which is an integral tool in
Attendees will be able to participate in a variety of fun and family- recovery and healing.”
friendly wellness activities and educational opportunities from Join DLC and become an advocate by raising awareness,
community partners, including yoga, fitness, art and pet therapy fighting stigma, educating the public and advocating for support
for people with mental illness and their families.
and food vendors.
58 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2022