November 22, 2016 - In This Issue:
The Firsts of Last Year
By Trish Larsen, Executive Director

Welcome back to another exciting new school year! As we enter into our tenth year in existence, we are thrilled to reflect on many of the firsts that last year brought to us. We held our first annual A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia event, raised over $1,000,000 in one year for the first time, and - most important - we exceeded 1,000 presentations and reached over 100,000 students in one school year! This year promises to be filled with many more notable events and accomplishments and we want you to be a part of it. I hope you enjoy reading our newsletters. Please keep in touch with us via email and social media; I don't want you to miss a thing because as Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world."  
SpeakerSpotlight Speaker Spotlight
Drew Bergman a Finalist for BeWell Philly 2016 Health Hero 
Out of over 800 nominations, speaker Drew Bergman became one of 16 semi-finalists, then one of four finalists for the Independence Blue Cross BeWell Philly 2016 Health Hero Challenge, sponsored by
Philadelphia Magazine.
 
Drew was awarded a $2,500 donation to the charity of his choice, which he generously designated to Minding Your Mind. "Thank you to all my friends and family for your incredible support," shared Drew. "I am giving this gift to Minding Your Mind so that we can continue to raise awareness and educate our youth on mental health. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10-24, and I am going to do everything in my power to change this devastating statistic." Congratulations to Drew, who will always be OUR hero!
Grace & Gratitude
Grants Received since  July 1, 2016
Boeing Employee Community Grant
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Elsie Lee Garthwaite Memorial Foundation
Klau Family Fund
Phillies Charities
St. Mary Medical Center
Regional Updates
FLORIDA
Florida Advisory Board
Minding Your Mind-Florida recently assembled our local volunteer Advisory Board. The eight-member Advisory Board has broad representation from throughout the community and includes a behavioral health service provider, the president of a prominent human services center, a parent with children in the local school system, business owners, as well as concerned citizens who have personally experienced mental health conditions in their immediate family. Our volunteers are eager to increase awareness of Minding Your Mind and share our message throughout Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Members include:  Susan Kasow, Tammy Walsh, Ed.D., Louanne Roy, Ann Sensenbrenner, RN, Kameron Hodgens, Ph.D., Juliet Mullan, Bart Hodgens, Ph.D., and Nikki Taylor.
 
Freshmen Focus 2020
Minding Your Mind had the pleasure of offering mindfulness sessions at the recent Freshmen Focus 2020 health summit. The event, co-produced by Drug Free Manatee and the School District of Manatee County, was attended by 1,600 of the district's incoming freshmen. Students were welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Diana Green and inspirational speaker/musician Jesse Funk. Students were then free to attend one of seven breakout sessions or browse through more than 40 community agency "wellness booths," including Minding Your Mind's.
 
Minding Your Mind's Michele Pacher, certified Mindfulness in Education instructor, conducted several session teaching students mindfulness techniques. We also distributed information to the students, including a mindfulness exercise, signs of emotional issues and mental health problems, as well as mental health resources.
 
Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County Hosted MYM Speaker at Three Clubs
The Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County hosted speaker Drew Bergman at three Clubs in mid-September: Southeast High School; Harlee Middle School; and the Palmetto Club. Drew shared his message of hope with more than 200 attentive Club members. There's already talk of hosting Drew again in spring 2017!
MASSACHUSETTS
Keep Sound Minds Donates Assets to MYM
Founded in 2008 by Danielle and Ken Lambert after the tragic and untimely deaths of their children and Danielle's sister, Keep Sound Mind's main goals included mental health awareness, often focusing on suicide prevention projects and programs. Recently the founders and board of directors made the decision to dissolve the foundation and donate its remaining net assets to Minding Your Mind and three other like-minded organizations. Ken Lambert has been named to Minding Your Mind's Massachusetts Advisory Board and will be an incredible guide for us with his thoughtful insight and passion to ensure the youth of today have the understanding to change the world of tomorrow.

Launch Event Held
About 50 people gathered on November 16 to learn more about Minding Your Mind's programs and hear three of our speakers share their stories. The group consisted of school administrators, teachers, mental health advocates, and interested parents and community members. One parent told us, "The presentation was a real eye-opener and the speakers were excellent - so real and so positive after such challenging life events. I wish it lasted longer!"

Carl, Andrew, and Ali in Massachusetts

Booking Now!
Minding Your Mind already has scheduled over 30 presentations, including the following notable schools and organizations:
Berkshire School
Boston College High School
Boston University

Lexington High School 
McLean Hospital
VIRGINIA
Minding Your Mind's work with the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation continues to be one of our most successful collaborations. There have been over 20 presentations so far this school year and peer support programs are ongoing in multiple schools in the greater Richmond area. 
The impact of one event inspired the student newspaper at Midlothian High School to write a feature article on Drew's presentation and the students' reaction. Plans are in the works to expand this partnership to other geographic regions!
Follow MYM on Social Media
Click any icon to follow MYM!
MYM hosts an active and ever-growing community of individuals who are interested in making mental health education a priority in our society. We have over 4,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and there is always room for one more. On our networks we share information about events, partnerships, and timely news and articles relevant to the mental health community. Come see what everyone is talking about! 

   
Looking Back LookingBack1
7th Annual Blue Gene Gala
Author David Sheff Inspires Guests
It was a picture-perfect day to spend an afternoon outdoors! On September 25, 380 people enjoyed a garden party and presentations at our most successful fundraising event to date.  Our heartfelt thanks to  Tracy Davidson of NBC10, Gerry Cuddy of Beneficial Bank, and author David Sheff for making the evening a memorable one, as well as to Kristen and Michael Karp for opening their beautiful home to our event. 

We were thrilled to honor the following individuals for their contributions to the field of mental health:

Emerging Minds Award 
Erich Dress, Lea Hecht & Andrea Segal
University of Pennsylvania
 
Changing Minds Award 
Diane Sampson Roskamp & Bob Roskamp
Founders of the Roskamp Institute

Following the awards presentations, David Sheff informed the audience about the crisis facing our society with substance use disorder and inspired those in attendance to make changes going forward. Closing the evening was Minding Your Mind speaker Carl Antisell, who shared his own struggles with substance use disorder and how he worked through it with the help of friends, family, and caring individuals to achieve the success he has today. Thank you to our generous sponsors, everyone who attended, and our friends who made donations in honor of this event.

A Celebration of Life: New York Raises $70,000
In September, friends and family of Kyle Craig gathered in at the City Winery in Manhattan to honor Kyle's life, educate the community about mental health, and erase the stigma that prevents so many from seeking the help they need. In addition to an evening of fun and friendship, David Schwarz, author of
ADHD Nation addressed the assembled guests and announced a donation of $1,000 to ACOLNY from the proceeds of his book.
Since 2011,  A Celebration of Life  events have raised more than  a quarter of a million dollars 
to support the efforts of Minding Your Mind. It is an amount that is a testament to the impact Kyle had and evidence of just how many people are touched by mental health issues. Our continued thanks to the Craig Family, James Wolff, Donna Chambers, Clay Skipper, Mike Lotito, and the entire ACOLNY planning committee for their amazing support.
LookingForward2 Looking Forward
Artist Creates Wearable Support for MYM
 Artist and activist Julia  Heck has chosen Minding  Your Mind as a partner in  her accessories company,  Tyawear. "What we wear  is an expression of  ourselves.  In wearing a  Tyawear scarf, we can  dress in something we believe in," shared Julia. "We tie a scarf, pledging to spread awareness about charitable organizations and their missions. "
 
Each Tyawear scarf holds the message and intent of Minding Your Mind. The design of the scarves and pocket squares includes imagery and motifs which illustrate Minding Your Mind's mission. With each Tyawear purchase, one pledges to share the message in the scarf.  The scarves tie the wearers to Minding Your Mind and create a lasting conversation and responsibility with hope for change. To shop, please visit Tyawear.com.
#GivingTuesday November 29
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.  Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. 

In the 2015-2016 academic year, Minding Your Mind completed over 1,100 presentations at over 640 schools. As of this writing, we are on track to exceed our program goals for this year by March 2017. We will need significant donor support in order to continue providing our mental health education programs free of charge; as you can see from the MYM Giving Pyramid above, every dollar makes a difference.

We hope that you will consider making a contribution to Minding Your Mind on #GivingTuesday, November 29. Click here to make a donation now. For more information on giving or to request a grant proposal, please contact Maura Wheeler, Director of Development.
Holiday Shopping at Amazon? Support Minding Your Mind!

Every time you shop on Amazon.com you can help support Minding Your Mind. Simply use the Amazon Smile web address: 

 

 http://smile.amazon.com 

 

Enter "Minding Your Mind" as your charity and checkout as you normally would. 
Thank you for your support!

LookingForward2 Ovations
"Jordan's story was moving and real. His experience inspired many students who have been hiding their depression and anxiety to come forward and talk with a trusted adult at our school. Because his story and his adolescence were so relatively 'normal,' it made it okay for our kids who consider their lives 'normal' to be honest about their depression. He helped the kids understand that depression can come on anyone and doesn't have to be triggered by a traumatic event.  "
Plumstead Christian School (PA)

"I thought Ali was fabulous for an audience of both students and faculty. It was first rate, just as all of your speakers have been. I never have to worry about previewing the presentation in advance."
Peddie School (NJ)

Read more testimonials about our programs and speakers... 
Featured Speaker
Jon Burgwin is a speaker, yoga instructor, and all-around nice guy.
Jon Burgwin grew up in a home of high-achievers. The expectations set by his parents and the competition between his siblings eventually began to take a toll on Jon's self-image. In middle school, Jon began to experience anxiety that prevented him from being able to achieve not only the goals set for him by his family, but his own. His attempts to avoid the stress brought on by his anxiety drove him to adopt negative coping skills, which set him on a path of self-destruction. In high school, Jon's use of drugs and alcohol culminated in a night where he almost lost his life. The depth of pain he experienced caused him to finally reach out for the support he needed.

After turning to his family for help, and receiving their encouragement, Jon was able to find healthy coping skills that he still uses today to manage his anxiety. Now a certified yoga instructor, Jon teaches others how yoga, mindfulness, and exercise can help overcome stress, anxiety, and depression.

To schedule a Speaker Program or Mindfulness Session for your school or community, please click here.