Over the past 24 months a historic number of our neighbors have experienced traumatic loss due to the ravages of COVID-19. With 367,358 Central Floridians in recovery from COVID-19, new research has found that nearly 1 person in 3 diagnosed with COVID-19 is also diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months. That’s 110,208 Central Floridians now trying to manage a mental health condition with many of them not having access to health insurance. These people are afraid to share their common secret. They are sick and weary, searching for hope and healing.
Please accept this as my personal invitation for you to join us on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, for our annual Legacy of Champions Luncheon. A noted community event for the past 11 years, this year’s luncheon will once again be hosted by Orlando Sentinel Columnist, Scott Maxwell, with a keynote by Susan Kelechi Watson, 2022 NAACP Image Award Nominee and Critics’ Choice Award Nominee as well as 2018 and 2019 Screen Actors Guild Award Winner for her role as Beth Pearson in the acclaimed NBC drama "This is Us". The Luncheon will also feature the presentation of the prestigious Candice Crawford Community Champion Award to Orange County Sheriff, John W. Mina and City of Orlando Chief of Police, Orlando Rolón and the Community Heroes Award to Orange County Mental Health and Homeless Issues, Division Manager, Donna Wyche.
On behalf of myself, our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and most of all, our patients, I thank you for your consideration and I hope to see you on May 25th!
Marni Stahlman
President & CEO
The Mental Health Association of Central Florida