Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Conference

Western Wayne County took a major step forward when it comes to Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness. Over a week long period, the Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition hosted five events to bring training, resources, keynote speakers and community partners together to support those on the front lines. On November 8th, more than 200 individuals were trained in QPR at the St. John’s Resort in Plymouth. The purpose of this training is to help save lives and ensure that all members of the community can recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone for help. The group was a representation of area school districts and included staff from food service, transportation, aides and para-professionals, hall monitors, school resource officers, as well as members of the board and administration, with the goal of providing training to everyone who interacts with students throughout their day. At Schoolcraft College in Livonia, more than 200 school social workers, counselors, psychologists, behavioral health specialists and community members participated in a Mental Health Conference with break out sessions hosted by community partners and a community resource fair. This all-day event was designed with school mental health care teams in mind and offered CE’s and SCECH’s for credit toward various forms of licensure.

In addition to these events, the Coalition hosted three Family Matters parent series events with keynote speaker Matt Emerzian, from Every Monday Matters, about the importance of why they matter. Our families are essential to the growth and well-being of our youth, when we create strong connections and sustain relationships within our families, our youth thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. These events reached more than 70 community members and brought a lot of laughs to the Penn Theatre in Plymouth, the Redford Township District library, and Westland’s John Glenn High School.

We would like to give special recognition to our financial sponsors including Community Financial, Envision Healthcare, Gordon Advisors, Healthy Livonia, Kiwanis Club of Plymouth, Michigan Educational Credit Union, Redford Commission on Youth and Families, Schoolcraft College, and the South Redford School District. We would also like to thank our presenting sponsoring including DWIHN, Hegira Health, Lincoln Behavioral Services, New Hope Center for Grief Support, Six Feet Over, SPN Survivors, Trinity Health, and QPR Training Teams. And none of this would have been possible without Syndee Malek and Alice Reinke, the driving force behind all of this incredible work to support our community.

The Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition will continue to collaboratively address youth suicide prevention, support mental health, and aim for zero completed youth suicides within the seven Western Wayne School Districts. Thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing more resources and events with you in the coming months.

NAMI Walks Your Way

On your feet, participants! Join us as we step into NAMIWalks Your Way 2022, which promises to be our most meaningful event ever. It’s a new day for mental health and we will embrace it together on Saturday, September 24 at Wayne State University.

You won’t want to miss it — a vibrant gathering where inspiration can shine on all of us.

We’ll cheer each other on while raising our voices to be heard, united in our commitment to raise awareness of our cause, funds to drive NAMI’s free, top-rated programs, and build community in every sense of the word.

NAMIWalks Your Way will be here before you know it, so register today! Let’s open up doors for everyone from every walk of life to have access to the mental health resources and community they deserve.

Community Events – ViewFest

ViewFest is a revolutionary “event based” approach to mental wellness education, coping/resiliency skill development and community connection opportunities. Curated by leaders in child psychology, fashion, music, education and parenting, Viewfest is packaged and branded as an “on-tour” festival experience with a mental health twist that specifically addresses the challenges of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide.

The event is free but attendees are encouraged to register beforehand. You can do so here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/viewfest-making-happiness-a-habit-tickets-388088923417

Date: Saturday, September 17th

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Walled Lake Central

1600 Oakley Park Road

Commerce Charter Township, MI 48390

This event is hosted by Words of Hope 4 Life. Learn more about the organizer here: www.wordsofhope4life.com

Community Events – Healthy Livonia 5K

The annual Healthy Livonia 5K run/walk will be held on Sunday, September 25th at the TrinityElite Sports Performance Center – Schoolcraft Campus located at 18100 St. Joe’s Parkway, Livonia, MI 48152. Join us for an energizing event that promotes health and wellness in our community.

Registration costs $25 and is online only, there is no race day registration. 

Packet Pick Up: 
Packet pick-up will be held on Thursday, September 22nd 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, September 23rd from 4-6 p.m. and race-day beginning at 8 a.m. at the TrinityElite Sports Performance Center. Parking is available in the lot south of the building entrance.

Your packet will include a bib number with the attached chip for timing, safety pins and race t-shirt (register by 9/1/22 to secure a t-shirt. Shirts available after that date while supplies last). You may pick up other racers’ packets.

Race Day Schedule: 
Late Packet Pick Up: 8 a.m. 
TrinityElite Warm Up Exercises: 8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks: 8:40 a.m.
Race Start: 9 a.m.

Race results will be available immediately following the race. Results will be viewable at the results table and will be posted online.

Awards:
Awards will be given to the overall first, second and third place male and female, as well as first, second and third in each age category.  Age groups: Male and Female, 13 and under, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ 

Awards will be available for pick-up at the awards table.

Please visit our website for detailed information on the course map, results, awards and FAQ. Click HERE to go to our website.

The 5k run/walk is chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation  

For more information, visit the race page here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Livonia/HealthyLivonia5K

Community Events – Northville High School’s Color My World Color Run

Color My World, a suicide-prevention health club at Northville High School, is hosting a Color Run, a 5k run/walk, on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 11am to generate money towards suicide prevention through proactive mental health parameters within Northville high school such as building Zen Room, a mental health resource library in addition to a plan where students can take a break, and other resources within the high school and the greater Northville community. If available please feel free to sign up for the run and sign up to volunteer for the event!

To sign-up, please do so through Sign-Up Genius here or visit the Color My World webpage here.