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Follow on Google News | Countywide Action Alliance For Mental Health Celebrates Community Action On Mental IllnessThird Annual VOICE AWARDS Took Center Stage Debuted Original Film Produced In Palm Beach County Featuring PBC Moms and Siblings Candidly Sharing Their Struggles and Perspectives
By: Boca Raton's Promise Driven by Boca Raton's Promise and hosted by its emboldened "I AM 1 Women's auxiliary of moms and siblings, the program debuted a 7-minute original film "We Are One" produced by Boca Raton-based Information Television Network (ITV) featuring several women in Palm Beach County sharing their personal family struggles and losses and the impact on siblings, marriages, friends, schools, co-workers, workplaces and neighborhood sports. As guests arrived, they viewed an interpretive gallery display: "Mental Health HEAD ON" created by the students of the FAU College of Nursing that showcases perspectives into 'what is going on the in head' of a patient struggling with mental illness. Following the presentation of the VOICE AWARDS, one Palm Beach County mother Ladi March from Riviera Beach shared her and her son's story and her vision "Our Kind of Possible". Grand benefactor Marla Kosec, a major contributor to BRP who lost two siblings to mental illness and whose mother is co-founder of Boca Raton's Promise, concluded the program "In Gratitude" to those who are using their voices to break the deafening silence that devastates families, preventing them from seeking the critical help and services they need. Kosec continues to honor the memory Lord Anthony Jacobs who over the past years entrusted the leadership of BRP with more than $400,000 in his lifetime to help turn up the volume of encouraging people to talk about mental health in Palm Beach, Florida. Calling both London and Palm Beach home, Lord Jacobs believed that the small relentlessly determined group voice of Boca Raton's Promise would continue to achieve and accomplish much more, with help, which has proven to be a resounding truth. "Lord Anthony Jacobs contributed so much as an individual who inspired this organization to continue their combined efforts to walk the walk and talk the talk," shared Kosec. Notable attendees included U.S. Representative Lois Frankel who "broke her own silence" in her welcome remarks; U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch; Senator Joseph Abruzzo, State of Florida; Commissioner Dave Kerner, Palm Beach County; Mayor Steve Grant, Boynton Beach; Mayor Bernard Featherman, Highland Beach. Luncheon emcee was Bonnie S Kaye of Kaye Communications PR & Marketing; speakers and Voice Award presenters were U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch; Dr. Phil Heller, Psy.D.; Keith Oswald, Chief Academic Officer, School District of PBC; Kim Mazauskas, Boca Raton's Promise, Board of Directors; Rev. Mayor (Boynton Beach) Woodrow Hay, Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee; Dr. Mike Kane, School District PBC/Counselor Specialist, Steering Committee, PBC Action Alliance; Marsha Martino, Director NAMI-PBC and Rita Thrasher, PBC Action Alliance/Presenting Chairman's Award. 2016 Voice Awards were presented in the following categories: o Advocacy: Johanna Kandel o Community Engagement: Dr. Seth Bernstein o Film Production: Ana Cristina Lerner o Community Leadership: Gerda Klein o Service and Training: Dr. Holly Katz o Author: Donna Gephart, Lilly & Dunkin o Chairman's Award: Sun Sentinel for its recent expose "Dying For Help "on mental health in South Florida about families struggling with severely mentally ill relatives, then becoming victims of their violence. The feature revealed how Florida's health care system is too stressed to prevent the tragedies. Demonstrating that emotional and mental illnesses are more common than many think. Key statistics shared during the luncheon include that 1 in 4 adults will have a mental illness in their lifetime; mental illness outnumberscancer, diabetes and heart attacks combined; one-half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 and 22% of middle school students reported considering suicide (2011). These illnesses are related to bullying, dropout, absenteeism, violence; it affects all ages, cultures, faiths, workplaces and schools. Because is not taught, nor talked about the silence fear and shame prevent those who need help and their loved ones from seeking it. For more information on the Boca Raton's Promise, its mission, vision and programming and/or the Palm Beach County Action Alliance, visit www.bocaratonspromise.org, email info@bocaratonspromise.org or call (561) 866-1850. End
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