A program in Port St. Lucie is working to educate people about mental health diagnoses and give them the tools. It’s called “HealthyU: A Conversation Series” – and the final session focuses on depression.Your Neighborhood: WPBF Local Coverage 25 News“We raise awareness. We educate the public – this one is huge. And we’re reducing the stigma around a lot of these mental health issues,” said Pattie Roberts, assistant director of the Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department. Roberts helped develop the HealthyU program three years ago at the demand of the townspeople. Topics covered include anxiety and bullying. On Wednesday, they will talk about depression. “It’s a difficult period. Inflation hits a lot of people, affordable housing all rolled into one. But the other thing too is that we’re approaching the holidays,” Roberts said. Anne Posey, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and CEO of Tykes & Teens, Inc., will lead the discussion. She wants to focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in cases of depression and helped people recognize the signs and symptoms. “We know that, on average, people wait extremely long to get treatment for their mental health issues. Sometimes 10 years pass between the onset of symptoms and the time they seek help. Now if you broke your arm, you probably wouldn’t wait 10 years,” Posey said. Posey hopes those who attend will come away with a better understanding of the disease. maybe someone in their life, you know, in their life, who may be suffering from depression and who can feel comfortable that help is available, recovery is possible,” Posey said. . All HealthyU sessions are held here at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. Wednesday’s discussion on depression is open to the first 50 people who pre-register, and organizers are also including a free dinner. More information can be found here.
A program in Port St. Lucie works to educate people about mental health diagnoses and give them the tools to do so.
It’s called “HealthyU: A Conversation Series” – and the final session focuses on depression.
Your neighbourhood : Local coverage of WPBF 25 News
“We raise awareness. We educate the public – this one is huge. And we are reducing the stigma of many of these mental health issues,” said Pattie Roberts, assistant director of the Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Department.
Roberts helped develop the HealthyU program three years ago at the request of townspeople.
Topics covered include anxiety and bullying. On Wednesday, they will talk about depression.
“It’s a tough time. Inflation is hitting a lot of people, affordable housing, all of that rolled into one. But the other thing too is we’re approaching the holidays,” Roberts said.
Anne Posey, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and CEO of Tykes & Teens, Inc., will lead the discussion.
She wants to focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in cases of depression and help people recognize the signs and symptoms.
“We know that on average people are waiting extremely long times to get treatment for their mental health issues. Sometimes 10 years pass between the onset of symptoms and the time they seek help. Now if you broke your arm, you probably wouldn’t wait 10 years,” Posey said.
Posey hopes attendees will come away with a better understanding of the disease.
“I hope someone will recognize their own symptoms or maybe someone in their life, you know, in their life, who may be suffering from depression, and can feel comfortable that help is available, recovery is possible,” Posey said. .
All HealthyU sessions are held here at the Port St. Lucie Community Center.
Wednesday’s discussion on depression is open to the first 50 people who pre-register, and organizers are also including a free dinner.
More information can be found here.
#Mental #health #program #helps #empower #people #depression #Port #Lucie