The Village Dispatch: CMHRC's April Newsletter
Topic: Support, Advocacy, Families, and Inclusivity
Giving Corner: Your Gift Makes the Difference

Palliative Parenting Class: New Round of Small Live Classes Begins April 22nd - Sign Up Today

Professional Discussion Group:  New Series Begins April 8th - Sign Up Today

Book Club: Living Well with Bipolar Disorder by David Miklowitz, PhD - Live Session with Author

Wednesday Webinars: Mental Health vs. Mental Illness
Clinical Seminar for Professionals: What is FOH? The Newly Identified Phenotype of Bipolar 

Dear ::subscriber.first_name::,

As we navigate the recent changes in federal policies and executive orders from the new administration in Washington DC, anxiety is rippling through our community. We, CMHRC's Board of Directors and Executive Director, are writing today to address this distress and to confirm our commitment to you.

In times of uncertainty and challenge, we remind ourselves of the importance of compassion and hope. Fred Rogers, taught us (as his mother had taught him) to remember in times of pain to "look for the helpers."

He believed that in every difficult situation, there are always people working tirelessly to bring comfort, kindness, and support to others.

At CMHRC, we take this message to heart. We believe in the power of kindness, and we know that there are always people within our community who are ready to lend a hand, offer support, and make a difference. 

Whether it’s our staff, volunteers, community partners, or Board of Directors we are a community of helpers who are committed to providing comfort and assistance when it's needed most.

At CMHRC, we remain steadfast in our dedication to support families and create an environment where every individual feels valued and welcomed. Our mission is not only to provide resources and services that benefit families and their providers, but also to ensure that all members of our community feel included, respected, and as though they belong.

We understand the importance of building strong foundations for families, and are continuously working to create a space where every voice is heard. Through a variety of programs, services, and support networks, we are committed to making sure that every family has access to the tools they need to thrive, regardless of background or identity.

CMHRC, continues to stand ready to provide research based guidance, compassionate resources, and steadfast advocacy to ensure that every member of our community feels safe, valued, and supported. Our commitment to your and your children's well-being is unwavering, and we are here to offer the assistance and care needed to help you navigate the mental health challenges you face. CMHRC is here to ensure that you feel heard and cared for every step of the way.

Inherent to our mission is our commitment to foster a community where every person can thrive in a culture of kindness, empathy, inclusivity, trust, and respect. Together, we create a space where safety and support are the core of everything we do and in which we are all united in purpose.

We remain committed to being the helpers for you. We are here to listen, to guide, and to stand alongside you on your journey. If ever you feel overwhelmed, remember to look for the helpers—we are always here, ready to support you.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community, and for continuing to make it a place of kindness and care.

Best,

Your Gift Makes The Difference

You and our community empower us to fulfill our mission. As we continue to work to ensure everyone feels valued, supported, and seen, we are reaching out to you for your support. 

Whether in our schools or communities, in our doctor's offices or at home, we break down the barriers to successful mental healthcare for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.

Your Support will Foster...

• Foundations for Hope: By supporting CMHRC, you help to fund programs that provide families with the tools they need to manage symptoms immediately.

• Strong Community Spaces: Your generosity allows us to create and maintain environments where every family is empowered to overcome mental health challenges and thrive.

• Transformational Change: With your support, we reach thousands of individuals around the world, dismantling the barriers that lead to isolation.

How You Can Help

• Donate: Your contribution, in any amount, has a lasting impact.
• Spread the Word: Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people we bring together, the greater the ripple effect of hope.
• Get Involved: Join us at our webinars, clinical seminars, Book Club sessions, and other events. Your participation helps amplify our work.

Thank you for your generosity and your belief in the power of kindness.

We know how isolating and confusing it can be to parent a child or teen with a mental health condition. Our unique approach was developed by CMHRC mental health professionals, parents, and adults with lived experience who know first hand how to survive and thrive with mental illness. 

Face-to-face class is starting soon, so don't delay, sign up today!

CMHRC Professional Discussion Group

Begin April 8th!

Peer supervision is a key component of good professional self-care and provides opportunities to develop self-assessment skills, allows colleagues to “fill in” the gaps of our individual knowledge and understanding, and it offers interdisciplinary perspectives and opportunities to learn from related areas of study. We all benefit when we combine social workers, occupational therapists, LMFTs, nurses, psychologists and more, all in the same case review and discussion. Interdisciplinary professional peer discussion improves the quality of care we give our clients. 

CMHRC Professional Discussion Group on Bipolar in Children and Teens

• $129 for the full 6 session series
• 2nd Tuesday of the month, April 8th - September 9th, 2025
• 90 minute sessions
• 6:30-8pm EDT / 3:30-5pm PDT

Everywhere we look these days people are talking about the mental health struggles that are mounting in our school aged children. But when we talk about mental illnesses like bipolar emerging in pediatric patients there is still controversy and disagreement. Why is that? What’s the disconnect? Who suffers from the false equivalence between mental health and mental illness? Who suffers when one is stigmatized and the other isn’t?

Don’t miss this deep dive into understanding the fundamental differences between mental health and mental illness. Join CMHRC executive director Elizabeth Errico for an examination of how knowing the difference can make all of the difference in getting treatment that works. 

You’re probably thinking, “Everyone is afraid of being harmed. What are they trying to pathologize now?!”

But Fear of Harm or FOH is the name commonly used for a newly identified phenotype of bipolar disorder, and it’s not as rare as you might think. Researchers estimate that more than 1/3 of all those with 

bipolar also have this newly identified phenotype. That upwards of 300,000 children and 2 million adults in the US alone.

Join us on April 23rd to learn about this illnesses origins, how to identify it, and what research driven treatments have been developed.

What does it take to achieve a successful career, healthy habits, and fulfilling relationships while living with bipolar disorder? 

What common stressors do you need to look out for, and how can you cope with them?

No one is better suited to provide practical problem-solving help than Dr. David Miklowitz.

From managing mood swings to dealing with anxiety, getting enough sleep, defusing family conflicts, and troubleshooting medications, this book offers keys to effective self-care. Short, clearly formatted chapters with downloadable practical tools help you tackle challenges as they arise and plan for trouble spots that lie ahead. 

With Dr. Miklowitz’s empowering guidance, you have a tool to navigate your own unique path to living well.

On April 17th, Dr. Miklowitz will join us, live and in person, to discuss his new book with members of our Book Club. Join us in February for our free webinar with Dr. Miklowitz, and then again in the intimate setting of our Book Club where you'll be able to speak directly with Dr. Miklowitz, ask questions, and hear his thoughts on living well with bipolar disorder. 

Don't miss this chance to speak with Dr. Miklowitz in person about his book.

Space is limited, so sign up today!*

*CMHRC Book Club sessions with the author have a non-refundable $20 registration fee, which supports both the Book Club staffing as well as our other free programs and services.

Sent by CMHRC

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