Neighbor News
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Free Mental Health Event Featuring Metta World Peace from the LA Lakers
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, the LA County Department of Mental Health, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, and Sunburst Youth Academy Foundation are sponsoring a special event to raise awareness about mental health. This free community event will be held on May 21, 10 a.m. to Noon, El Monte Airport, 4233 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731.
The event will feature special guests, performances, informational booths, and free mental health resources.
- Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, will address the importance of raising awareness around the stigma associated with mental health.
- Metta World Peace, Los Angeles Lakers, will speak about his journey and struggle with mental health. As founder of Xcel University, he will discuss the work being done to encourage kids to further their education and advocacy for mental health awareness and quality mental health services for everyone.
- Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Department will host an interactive activity to highlight skill building techniques from their theatrical production, “It’s Stop Time,” focusing on conflict management for upper elementary students and their families. The audience will learn how to use the “Stop” “Breathe” “Choose” method for managing conflict.
- A variety of informational booths focusing on mental health services and advocacy including NAMI, Pacific Clinics, LA County Department of Mental Health, and others will be available, as well as free mental health resources.
The event is open to the community. RSVP at METTAWORLDPEACE.EVENTBRITE.COM
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“I'm very happy to participate in this mental health awareness event, because events like this one help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” says Metta World Peace. “It is vital that we educate our communities and let people know there is nothing wrong with seeking out help when you need it. It is especially important for our youth to understand that it is actually ‘cool’ to take care of yourself, and to direct them to the free resources available within their communities.”