Speak Up Let's Talk About Mental Health, Inc.

We know it has been a bit since our last newsletter, and we apologize for that delay. We are thrilled to share with you exciting updates on our latest programs and events dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and support in our community. Your continued support makes these initiatives possible.

In the spirit of spring renewal, we have been actively working on expanding our reach and impact. Here are some of the highlights:

• Our first community mural project was an amazing success. We had close to 80 participants on the day of the event and received positive feedback from everyone in attendance. We were able to transform a plain grey building at North City Park in Safety Harbor into a vibrant painting emphasizing kindness, community, inclusion and positivity. We worked with local artists, Mena and Tom Kiernan to design the mural and "trace" the design. The youth of all ages from our community painted the mural. It was a great day to see everyone working together and for 5 hours no one was on their phones, which speaks volumes. What a fantastic mental health day and we hope to start a movement of youth art in our neighborhoods. We will also be sponsoring a Buddy Bench that will be placed by the mural and playground.

•  Speak Up was grateful to participate in the Love IV Lawrence Foundation's Annual Reeling In Stigma event that was held at FloridaRAMA this year. We were asked to host a table as a community partner and had the opportunity to meet individuals and organizations who are dedicated to providing education and resources for mental health and suicide awareness and education. It was an inspiring evening, and we are thankful for the continued support of this local organization that shares the same mission as we do.  

• Speak Up was invited to be guests of the Lightning at their Annual Hockey Talks Night which raises awareness about mental health and the stigma attached to mental illness. We received box tickets along with a batch of tickets for our supporters. Our president, Dawn was asked to pull the Tesla Coil at the beginning of the game. It was quite the honor to be on the Jumbotron. We are appreciative of all the support we have received from the Lightning Foundation and their dedication to removing the stigma of mental health conditions.

• Dawn had the privilege of speaking with 50 SPC Tarpon Campus Collegiate High Schools students about suicide awareness, how to recognize when a friend or themselves need help, language to use and how to remove the stigma. An amazing group of students who we will be working with on future community projects.

• Pension, "our" sponsored Largo Police Dept. in-house therapy canine visited the students at Mattie Willams After School program and his visit was a huge success. The kids learned what Pension's job and also gave them an opportunity to see law enforcement in a different light. They are ready for Pension and Sargeant Sequeira to make another visit in the summer.

• We continued to bring different programs to the youth community centers after school students and to work with Safety Harbor's middle school Rise Up group.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

• We are in the process of setting up our summer camp programs at four local community centers and are excited to bring new mental health curriculum to our youth.

• Dawn will be presenting to the Hillsborough County Public Safety Committee Council to propose our window decal initiative becoming a recognized symbol for First Responders. This decal notifies them that a person with a mental health condition resides there. We have this in place with Pasco County Sheriff's Department and have the support of law enforcement to be distributed in other counties.

•  In the process of working on more youth community involvement projects such as mural paintings, hunger solutions, revitalizing neighborhoods, etc.

• We will be working with Enterprise High School students on community projects that focus on giving back. One project for this summer will be painting duffle bags that will be given to a foster care agency to provide the children with a personalized bag that they can put their belongings in.

• Working with Countryside High School art students to bring a mural to their school.

• Brice Alexander, Dawn's niece has generously volunteered to be our new Social Media Specialist, and we are grateful for taking on this responsibility. Our new IG account is Speakup_1022, check it out.

• Stay tuned for our annual fundraiser Save the Date.

We will keep everyone posted on our new programs as we roll them out.

Thank you to everyone who supports us that allows us to make a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of our community. We could not do this without each and every one of you.

Photo Highlights from Recent Events