Brought to you by the Sammamish Community Y Advisory Board: a series of free webinars feature the topics we need to talk about more, and are led by local experts — including therapists from the Y Social Impact Center.
Webinars are free, registration required.
What Causes Depression & Anxiety?
Learn about the biological, social, and psychological determinants of depression and anxiety. This presentation outlines the contributing factors that can lead to a diagnosis and treatment.
Webinar Presenter: Dr. Albert Tsai, MD specializes in Psychiatry at Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and is an attending physician at the Overlake Adult Day Hospital program. Dr. Tsai attended medical school at Boston University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is board certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
When: September 15, 6:00-7:30 pm
For: All Ages
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Suicide Prevention Training
Many of us have confided in others during dark times, and vice versa. But it can feel awkward, if not downright frightening, not knowing what to do when a loved one or a peer shows suicide warning signs. The five steps of Forefront Suicide Prevention LEARN® empower individuals to help others move in the direction of hope, recovery, and survival. For more information about Forefront Suicide Prevention, a Center of Excellence at the University of Washington, visit their website.
Presenter: Charlene Ray, MSW, LICSW is a licensed independent Clinical Social Worker and has been in practice as a therapist, mentor, grief counselor, and workshop facilitator for 35 years. Charlene teaches mindfulness in school, K-6, and facilitates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for teachers. Charlene has led programs for school districts on various mental health topics and is a frequent speaker at Sno-Isle Library Issues that Matter events. She works for Forefront Suicide Prevention as a school coach and trainer.
When: September 17, 7:00-8:30 pm
For: All Ages
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Stigmas and Misconceptions of Suicide
This webinar will address stigmas, misconceptions of suicide, the public perception of mental illness, the complexity of suicide, who is susceptible to depression and suicide and destigmatize and prevent suicide.
Presenter: Ace Bulger, Washington State Health Care Authority, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, Children, Youth and Family Team, System of Care Grant Director. For over 25 years, Ace worked in education as a principal, assistant principal, athletic director, head football coach and teacher at the secondary and collegiate levels. As a coach working with school districts his training was for teachers and administrators on how to deliver powerful teaching and learning. That focus changed in 2012 when his daughter, Alicia, died by suicide. Since 2012 Ace has become passionate about coaching for mental well-being and suicide prevention. He served on legislative committees for preventing suicide and was actively involved with the Department of Health, The National Alliance of Mental Health, Forefront and other agencies promoting mental health and suicide prevention. Read Ace’s full Bio
When: September 22, 7:00-8:30 pm
For: All Ages
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NAMI Ending the Silence Teen Talk
Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental illness. The presentations includes a lead presenter who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.
Presenter: Ellen Wastell, National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami-eastside.org)
When: September 24, 4:00-5:30 pm
For: Teens and young adults
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Embracing Adversity: Supporting the Development of Health Coping Strategies
Our youth are often engaged and invested in structures that run counter to the development of resilience. Many young people are discovering they lack the flexibility and malleability they need to manage adversity and turn to maladaptive and sometimes dangerous methods of coping.
Resilience is the ability to achieve in the face of adversity; to bend, rather than break. In this workshop, we will explore how young people can become more resilient and pinpoint some of obstacles that get in their way. Together we will explore how to better foster confidence and a sense of internal worth in our youth through community connection and opportunities to make gracious contributions. For more information about Influence the Choice visit their website.
Presenter: Jerry Blackburn is the Executive Director of the Influence the Choice Community Coalition as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Education Program at Bellevue College. In addition to his work, Jerry currently serves as a board member for The Garage, the Issaquah Teen Café, ParentWiser the PTSA Council Education Committee and the Greater Issaquah Equity & Inclusion Group. In 2005 he was honored by the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse with the Richard Rivera Passionate Youth Professional Award and in 2017 the Issaquah Schools Foundation presented him with the Golden Apple Award in appreciation for his dedication to the health of young people.
When: September 28, 12:00-1:30 pm
For: Parents and caregivers of teens and young adults
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Continuing the Conversation: Q&A Session
Join us to learn about resources and next steps for our communities. As we close out Suicide Prevention Month we will continue the conversation, provide resources for our community, and discuss the next steps for the journey we are on together.
Hosted by: Nate Smith and Melinda Burns
When: September 30, 6:00-7:30 pm
For: Parents and caregivers of teens and young adults
REGISTER