YMCA Sponsors Mental Health Forum - April 3, Nashua YMCA

Stress, anxiety and depression are conditions that occur to all of us at various times. Yet, there is stigma attached to discussing mental health. The Y has always had a global approach to health; we believe that it’s important feel good in mind, body and heart to lead a healthy and balanced life. We are hoping to improve community awareness and understanding of mental health issues through education and have partnered with Dartmouth Hitchcock to begin the discussion to help break down barriers that prevent people from seeking care.

John Broderick, Senior Director of External Affairs at Dartmouth Hitchcock and former New Hampshire Chief Justice, has addressed more than 200 groups around New England over the past two years. He wants people to be as familiar with the signs of mental illness as they are with the signs of physical illnesses such as heart attacks or strokes. Mr. Broderick will discuss his family’s journey with mental illness and what he has learned. It’s deep. It’s powerful. It’s important. He encourages listeners to learn the five most common signs of mental illness, to change the way they REACT when they see emotional suffering in someone, and to be a positive force to change the culture that surrounds mental illness. R.E.A.C.T supplements the “5 Signs” campaign developed by Change Direction, which is based on the premise that, like knowing the 5 Signs of a heart attack or stroke, we should all know the 5 Signs of emotional distress; R.E.A.C.T. helps us take action.

In conjunction with Nashua’s Public Health Week, we have invited Mr. Broderick to a community forum at the Nashua YMCA:

Title: Changing the Culture of Mental Health: It’s Way Past Time
Time: Wednesday, April 3, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Nashua YMCA, 24 Stadium Drive

For more information, call the YMCA at 603.598.1533 or email Elizabeth Covino, YMCA director of community relations, at ecovino@nmymca.org.

This event is free and open to the public.