Churchill Area Neighbors

Next General Meeting: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Churchill Estates, 1919 Bailey Hill Road, Eugene, Oregon

Topic of discussion: Youth Mental Health, A Panel Discussion

From our Newsletter

Youth Mental & Emotional Well Being in Our Neighborhood

by David W. Oaks, CAN Board Member

Our neighborhood's future, of course, is ultimately in the hands of
youth. Too often our society addresses emotional issues of youth only
when there is a crisis. What can our neighborhood do to help? CAN's May
28th meeting will include a special panel:

* Damien Sands is Lane County suicide prevention coordinator. His
position is funded through the "Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act."
Garrett Lee was Senator Gordon Smith's son who committed suicide at age
21.

Says Damien, "As community members we all play a role when it comes
to the well being of our youth. I'll talk about empowering ourselves,
with some fundamental skills in regards to helping one another."

* Kara Penniman, LCSW, is Mental Health Therapist at Churchill High School.

Said Kara, "For the past three years I have been meeting with
students and families in crisis. I provide individual and family
counseling. I also help schools deal with mental health issues that
arise and refer folks to appropriate community resources."

Kara feels tht mental well being is as important as physical well
being for youth. She says, "Most young people struggling with mental
health problems do not get sufficient services. Services in schools
provide a crucial link for youth who would otherwise not receive any
support."

* Martin Rafferty is a young adult who graduated from Churchill
High School. Martin has personally experienced mental health care, and
is the Youth Outreach Coordinator for MindFreedom International. Says
Martin, "Most people don't believe that youth talk seriously about this
issue. We need to support the voice of young people on what choices
they would like for their own mental and emotional well being."

For more info on the panel ph: 345-9106 or email oaks@mindfreedom.org

Churchill Area Neighbors

http://www.churchillareaneighbors.org/