Join in a collaborative community conversation on the effects of trauma and its connection to potential addictions and impact on mental health.
Hosted by Essex County Mental Health and Community Services Board, Mohawk Area Health Education Center, BRIEF, and ECHO, a series of collaborative conversations on November 6th and 14th will focus on the effects of childhood trauma, known as ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences), its connection to potential addictions and impact on mental health, and opportunities to make a positive difference in our communities and schools.
Lake Placid High School November 6, 6:00 PM
Opening remarks:
Billy Jones, Assemblyperson
Derek Doty, Town Supervisor
Panelists include:
• Theresa Lindsay, Principal, Lake Placid High School
• Ed Dempsey, ADK Bridges to Empowerment
• Rick Whitney, Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, CRPA
• Prevention Team representative
• Speaker with lived experience
Moriah CSD
November 14, 5:00 PM
Opening remarks:
Matt Simpson, Assemblyperson
Thomas R. Scozzafava, Town Supervisor
Panelists include:
• Kristy Sprague, District Attorney
• Prevention Team representative
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Doug Meyer (CRPA)
• Speaker with lived experience.
Featuring community members and local organizations, each event will include a presentation by Zachary Randolph, interim CEO of St. Joseph’s, about the connection between trauma and addictions. An individual will share about their recovery journey and the BRIEF coalition will provide a short presentation about how resiliency and protective factors can be effective in reducing the impact of ACE’s on future addictions and mental health. Audience members will be able to ask questions of community member panelists at each event.
Clips of the Ken Burns’ film Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness will be screened. This documentary follows the journeys of more than 20 young Americans who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled—and, at times—overwhelmed them. The film presents an unstinting look at both the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and the hope that many have found after that storm.
The last half-hour of each event will include pizza, beverages, and a chance to visit participating agency’s information tables to chat, get information, resources, and a free Narcan kit with training.
About the Film: Hiding in Plain Sight
Follow the journeys of more than 20 young Americans from all over the country and all walks of life, who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled—and, at times—overwhelmed them. Hiding in Plain Sight presents an unstinting look at both the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and the hope that many have found after that storm.
Watch the two-part, four hour series on PBS.org. A free collection of educational assets developed around the film for middle and high school educators and students is accessible on PBSLearningMedia.org.
Events in this series are hosted by Essex County Mental Health and Community Services Board, BRIEF and ECHO and funded by an RCORP grant through Hudson Mohawk Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Future Events will take place in Spring 2024 at Schroon Lake Central School and Elizabethtown.