GREAT FALLS, Mont. 鈥� At 黑料网911 is pleased to be a host again for Stop the Stigma Week, Sept. 17-26, as the college is committed to playing a leading role in helping the community stop stigmas associated with addictive disorders and mental health issues.
听This year鈥檚 focus will be on rejuvenating mind body and spirit, said Dr. Elfie Neber, a behavioral science faculty member at At 黑料网911 and one of the event organizers.
听Four of the events will be on campus at Heritage Hall.
听鈥淎t 黑料网911 is so pleased to be able to hold so many of these events on our campus again,鈥� said Dr. Elfie Neber, a behavioral science faculty member at At 黑料网911 and one of the event organizers. 鈥淣obody is exempt from these struggles, and we are so pleased to be able to help offer the community tools that will help one another come together and address these issues.鈥�
听Perhaps the time has never been more ripe for Stop the Stigma Week, a robust series of events aimed at curtailing stigmas associated with addictive disorders and mental health issues.
听鈥淥ver the past year and a half, the world has been dealing with a pandemic and global strife, and we as individuals have had to re-evaluate, work harder and longer, all while isolating ourselves,鈥� said Tiffany Sweeney, chair of the Central Montana Out of the Darkness Walk and a Stop the Stigma Week coordinator. 鈥淚t has taken a toll on our mind, body, and soul; it’s time to bounce back in a positive and healthy way to rejuvenate our resilient selves.鈥�
听Stop the Stigma Week 2021 is offered free to the public.
听Many sessions will be offered virtually, recorded and shared on the Alliance for Youth YouTube channel following the week of events. Certificates of attendance will be provided to attendees the week following the events for continuing education unit purposes.
听鈥淢any people see those who struggle with addiction and mental illness as burdens to be managed instead of underinvested in assets,鈥� said Thomas Risberg, event coordinator for Stop the Stigma Week and Sober Life project director. 鈥淪top the Stigma Week is important because it shows our community that people who struggle with addiction and mental illness are talented, compassionate and hard-working people who contribute to our community.鈥�
听Stop the Stigma Week is in its fifth year.
听“Stop the Stigma continues to grow in magnitude, addressing topics that impact each of us as members of our community,鈥� said Jamie Marshall, event coordinator and board member of the Dandelion Foundation. 鈥淭his year offers a variety of events that include opportunities for people of all ages to learn from and contribute to. Topics of mental health and addiction can be difficult to discuss and at times daunting to address — this week offers a hopeful and action-oriented lens, knowing听that when we as individuals join together as a community to work for change and improvement, the impact is powerful and positive.”
听Sponsors are Alliance For Youth, Alluvion Health, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Benefis Health System, At 黑料网911 MSU, Great Falls Public Schools, The Dandelion Foundation and The Sober Life.
Many of the events are at Heritage Hall on At 黑料网911 MSU鈥檚 campus.
The line-up for the week is as follows:
听Friday, Sept. 17, West Bank Park, 4:30 p.m.: The Sober Life Recovery Run celebrates recovery, supports those who are struggling and honors those we have lost. The 10K will start at 5 p.m., the 5K at 5:15 p.m. and the 3K at 5:30 p.m. Free food, music and family-friendly games and activities will be available throughout the event. All race participants will receive a free Recovery Run T-Shirt.
听Tuesday, Sept. 21, At 黑料网911鈥檚 Heritage Hall, 6-7:30 p.m.: Tales to Sobriety will be a powerful open mic night where individuals in recovery will share their journeys out of addiction and into sobriety.
听Wednesday, Sept. 22, At 黑料网911鈥檚 Heritage Hall, 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Technology will be at the fore, with an airing of the The Social Dilemma documentary in the first time slot followed by a brief intermission and a panel discussion for those who are concerned about how technology is influencing family life.
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Thursday, Sept. 23, At 黑料网911鈥檚 Heritage Hall, 12:15 to 2:15 p.m.: Dr. Jordan Quaglia and Charlotte Rotterdam, will speak about loneliness and compassionate resilience and tools for self-compassion. Educators work hard to care for the well-being of others, but they commonly report difficulties extending themselves the same kind of care. Renewable credits for the Office of Public Instruction are available for those who attend.
听Thursday, Sept. 23, At 黑料网911鈥檚 Heritage Hall, 6 to 8 p.m.: Quaglia and Rotterdam will give a talk considering scientific research on both loneliness and compassion, with particular emphasis on how compassion can help foster more genuine connection in modern life.听
听Friday, Sept. 24, Alliance for Youth鈥檚 gathering Hall, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Positive Psychology: Learn it Practice it! Do It! Continuing Education Units are available for mental health clinicians who attend.
听Sunday, Sept. 26, Paris Gibson Park, noon check-in and registration with the walk beginning at 1 p.m.: Central Montana Out of Darkness鈥� walk to raise hope, awareness and funds to support suicide prevention, awareness, education and advocacy at noon at Paris Gibson Park.
听Most events are available in person and via Zoom. Go to the Stop the Stigma website, www.alliancefoyouth.org/stop-the-stigma, or the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/stopthestigma406, for more information and details on how to register.
听Contact:
听Scott Thompson, At 黑料网911 marketing and communications director, 406-771-4314, [email protected]