June 13, 2019 - In This Issue:
It's a Sunshine Day!
By Trish Larsen, Executive Director

It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of another busy and enormously successful school year. I am once again overwhelmed by the number of schools who invited us in for the first time this year, and those who find value in inviting us back again year after year. Our success is a testament to our remarkably talented and compassionate staff, countless volunteers who share their time and talent for our benefit, and of course our incredibly generous donors. THANK YOU to all!

We'll be reconnecting with you in the fall. In the meantime, I wish everyone a healthy and fun filled summer.  Enjoy the sunshine!

Grace & Gratitude
Gifts & Grants Received since 
March 2019
Ardmore Rotary
Be Kind. Always. Foundation
Brandywine Health Foundation
IAMStrong Foundation
Ashley Riviera Art
Comcast Spectacor Charities (Flyers, Wings)
Giuffre Family
Patty & Bob Hendel
Hurley Family
Kathy Killian
Kyle Ambrogi Foundation
Lindback Foundation
Maguire Foundation
Cindy & Bill McKernan
Mufson Howe Hunter
Nicoletti Family
Mr. & Mrs. John Peruto
Phillies Charities
Procacci Brothers
Recovery Centers of American at Devon
Robinson Family
Mary Ann & George Schmidt
Saint Joseph's University
Snider Foundation
The Saturday Club
Travelers
Regional Updates
NEW ENGLAND
Thank you to all of the schools, organizations, and communities that welcomed Minding Your Mind during the 2018-2019 scheduling year! We set a new record for the number of presentations completed, reaching the greatest amount of people we have since having a dedicated presence in New England.

Some experiences and initiatives that were highlights include:
  • a partnership with Country Bank to bring programs into central-Massachusetts communities
  • the development of a training program for camp counselors, incorporating pieces from our education and training programs with information on staff/camper boundaries, self care, homesickness, and mid-season burnout
  • expanding "The Secret Life of Teens & Tweens" to more states in New England
  • establishing a Young Professionals Board that brings together people interested in spreading awareness and harnessing their creativity to support MYM
  • hiring new speakers and a multi-lingual clinician who will bring our presentations to Spanish-speaking communities
  • introducing a social emotional learning professional development program for school personnel
JOIN OUR TEAM! We have scheduled a summer intensive training session for new speakers who will begin presenting this fall. We are seeking speakers in the greater Boston area, including someone who speaks Spanish. If you are interested in learning more, please contact New England regional director Michelle Drolsbaugh at [email protected]
NEW JERSEY/NEW YORK
A Celebration of Life is 
Coming to  New Jersey
Inspired by A Celebration of Life events held in New York City and Philadelphia, a group of volunteers has come forward to host the first A Celebration of Life: New Jersey. Plans are coming together for the event to take place this fall in the Asbury Park area. Stay tuned for more details!  Interested in joining the committee? Contact New Jersey regional director Guy Iacono, [email protected]
Jordan Burnham and Guy Iacono present at the New York Hall of Science museum in Queens, NY

Thank you to all of the districts and organizations that we have worked with this school year. We are so proud of the amount of presentations we were able to provide this year and know that we are helping start many conversations around mental health. 

Having open and honest dialogue around mental health is the first step in eradicating the stigma that exists and this dialogue is necessary in avoiding mental health crises. We hope everyone enjoys their summer and look forward to working together again soon.

DID YOU KNOW...that we are looking for speakers to serve our New Jersey/New York region? If you are interested in sharing your personal story, please contact Guy Iacono , New Jersey regional director
CLICK LINKS FOR MORE INFO
June 14, 2019
Bryn Mawr, PA

June 21, 2019
Bryn Mawr, PA

June 28, 2019
Bryn Mawr, PA

July 22, 2019
Boston, MA

November 3, 2019
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 5,000 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
Marissa Marschall Joins 
Minding Your Mind as 
Pennsylvania Regional Director
Marissa Marschall, MS, LPC
Marissa Marschall, MS, LPC, joined Minding Your Mind in April and already has proven to be a valuable addition to our management team. 

Marissa received her bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Delaware where she developed a passion for helping youth cope with life's challenges. She attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where she earned a Master's in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology. As a licensed professional counselor, Marissa provided therapy for youth and adults struggling with mental illness and addiction. She has conducted behavioral health assessments to students in Philadelphia schools and referred them to appropriate counseling services. Most recently, Marissa supervised a therapeutic after school program aimed to divert youth from entering the juvenile justice system.

"I feel empowered and honored to work for an organization that is dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental health," shares Marissa. "I have been amazed with the young adult speakers' unwavering ability to provide hope and awareness so authentically through their personal stories of recovery. You may reach Marissa directly at [email protected] or 610-642-3879.
Aon Welcomes Minding Your Mind for Corporate Wellness
Minding Your Mind's hosts at Aon Philadelphia, pictured with MYM team members (L-R): David Bennink (Aon), Douglas Wheeler (Aon), Sheila Gillin (MYM), Marissa Marschall (MYM), Kelly Moriarty (MYM) Barry Weiner (Aon), Jack Reich (Aon), Judi Santarelli (Aon).
Minding Your Mind had the privilege of participating in  Aon  United Day for Colleagues at the Philadelphia office, with a Corporate Education Program designed to educate adults on basic mental health issues and how they impact daily life in the workplace, at home, and during interactions with others.  Sheila Gillin , LCSW, clinical director for Minding Your Mind, and Kelly Moriarty, one of Minding Your Mind's Young Adult Speakers, led a 90-minute discussion on mental wellness, including an active Q&A session...read more
A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia Sets Records for Attendance and Donations
Matt Robinson,  Chairperson
On Thursday, May 9, 2019, over 500 people gathered in Philadelphia for the fourth annual  A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia . Led by an all-volunteer committee of Minding Your Mind's Young Professionals Board and friends, this year's event was the most well-attended and charitable to date, with all proceeds funding mental health education and suicide prevention programs in the greater Philadelphia region. 
Tim Griffin & 
Jessica Griffin
Chairperson Matt Robinson welcomed attendees and discussed the history of Minding Your Mind as well as the purpose of A Celebration of LifeHe presented the 2019 Emerging Minds Award to Jessica Griffin and Tim Griffin of  The Be Kind. Always. Foundation.... read more & see photos
LookingForward2 Looking Forward
Visit our NEW Website!

We've recently launched a newly restructured website, providing more information on our programs and making it easier to learn about our speakers. Take a spin around it today and let us know what you think
LookingForward2 Ovations

" Scott was fantastic! Because he was so close to my students' ages, it made his message more real. The students could relate to him much better. Scott was relaxed and a very engaging story teller. "
   
Many of Minding Your Mind's programs are provided on a donation basis. The majority of our financing is derived from fundraising events, personal contributions, and charitable grants, allowing us to serve organizations that may not be able to donate.

With a tax-deductible gift, you can help us share the message of mental wellness with more students and communities, promoting the understanding that leads to seeking help and ending stigma.
Young Professionals Support MYM
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
From runs to tailgates to basketball tournaments to guest bartending - and so much in between! - young professionals are changing the game when it comes to mental health advocacy. 

According to the Case Foundation's Millenial Impact Report: 201584 percent of millennial employees gave to charity and 70 percent of them donated more than an hour to a charitable cause in 2014. At Minding Your Mind, we have seen this in action and the impact has been tremendous.   

In the past year, we have been fortunate to develop committed, engaged, and creative Young Professionals Boards in two of our service areas, Philadelphia and Boston, and are in the process of establishing one in New Jersey. 

As you read above, members of the Philadelphia board joined the planning committee for A Celebration of Life: Philadelphia. That group executed the most attended and financially successful program in the history of the event. Their other efforts included tailgates at professional sporting events, and raising funds through 5Ks and other runs. In Boston, they have held multiple social outings and fundraisers, and will be bowling together on July 22. A group of dedicated friends who attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School (PA) hold a 3 v. 3 basketball tournament every year, in memory of a classmate who took his life.  The focus is on having fun while building relationships, yet never loses sight of the purpose of their efforts: raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues through education and suicide prevention programs.

If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please get in touch with us!
Boston - Catelin McCarrison,  [email protected]
New Jersey - Guy Iacono,  [email protected]
Philadelphia -  Maura Wheeler,  [email protected]