Thanks for support of mental health day

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

June 17, 2011

Thanks for support of mental health day

The Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program joined with the local Community Support Team to provide the 11th Mental Health Awareness Walk on May 20. It was a great success, with more than 700 participants.

Sheila Theodorou, Carbon-Monroe-Pike MH/MR administrator, served as the master of ceremonies by welcoming everyone, sharing some thoughts related to the day’s mission, and introducing state representatives Mario Scavello, R-176, and Rosemary Brown, R-189.

Representative Scavello has been a faithful attendee and supporter of our walk for all 11 years. He has an appreciation and a history of supporting MH/MR’s mission. We were very grateful to have Rosemary Brown attend our walk, especially since she is a newly elected representative covering parts of Monroe and Pike counties. Her interest in and her sensitivity to persons with mental illness was very evident through the words she offered. Another public official attending the walk was Monroe County Commissioner Theresa Merli. We were once again impressed and inspired by her knowledge of mental illness and the service provided to persons in need. We thank all three of our public officials for their contributions to our celebration of recovery and commitment to continually improving local services.

Cindy Slye was our speaker for the day and shared a powerful story of recovery. Her words were ambassadors of hope for all of us. Pastor Dana Antal of the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church was present and offered a blessing and shared his knowledge and sensitivity to the courage and faith involved in recovery.

The message of the walk is “Recovery from mental illness is possible and happens every day”.

Again, thank you to everyone who helped make our day a real success.

NORMA SWINT

Consumer Outreach Coordinator

Carbon-Monroe-Pike MH/MR Program