May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness directly impacts one in five adults a year in the U.S. Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14, growing to 75% by the age of 24. To help community members understand more about the care of the mind, the Hamden Public Library will offer a series of three programs focused on different aspects of mental health. All programs are offered free of charge and are open to the public. Registration is required. Seating is limited. Register online at www.hamdenlibrary.org (click on “Programs”) or call 203-287-2680.
Let’s Talk Mental Health and Recovery will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 pm, first floor Program Room, 2901 Dixwell Ave. Dr. Mark Costa, Associate Research Scientist in Psychiatry, and Graziela Reis, MPH, from the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health will facilitate this conversation. This is an opportunity for community members to ask difficult questions or express apprehensions. Do you know somebody who experiences a mental health issue? Do you have questions about treatments and how you can help? Voice your concerns, and get answers at this free program.
There is one suicide death in the US every 10.9 minutes. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34. Learn three important steps to prevent suicide by attending QPR Suicide Prevention Training. This free training is offered by the Quinnipiack Valley Health District. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. This workshop is Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Thornton Wilder Hall, 2901 Dixwell Ave. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Seating is limited.
The third program is about living with grief. Grieving is described as drowning in a sea of painful emotions. Dr. Marianne Bette will talk about her recently published book Living with a Grieving Heart. This program is Wednesday, May 10, 6 pm, Brundage Community Branch, 91 Circular Ave. Dr. Bette is a family physician and a self-described “grief warrior”. Calling upon her 40 years in family medicine, Dr. Bette will share stories from her own personal experiences with grief. She helps people who are grieving learn how to embrace life again while living with a grieving heart. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Hamden Public Library.
All programs are offered free of charge and are open to the public. Registration is required. Seating is limited. Register online at www.hamdenlibrary.org (click on “Programs”) or call 203-287-2680.