9:00 – 9:15 am: Speakers
Introduction/Opening: Chicagonistas: MJ Tam and Beth Rosen @Chicagonista
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, www.elizabethlombardo.com, @DrELombardo
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo is a psychologist, physical therapist, and author of Better than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love. Dr. Lombardo is active spokesperson for mental health, and serves as an advisory member of the Schools for Hope advisory board. She is here to share how she is bringing hope and happiness to the world.
Joyce Marter, www.urbanbalance.com, @Joyce_Marter, @Urban_Balance
Joyce Marter, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and CEO of Urban Balance, is an innovative insurance-friendly counseling practice based in Chicago. Joyce is sharing her message of hope for the Chicago community, and the steps she is taking through her work to ensure healthy brains for all. We extend our gratitude to Joyce and the Urban Balance Practice for leadership in the mental health community.
Phyllis Foxworth, www.dbsalliance.org, pfoxworth@DBSAlliance.org, @DBSAAlliance
Phyllis Foxworth serves as the vice president of advocacy for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Phyllis will talk on how DBSA reaches the Chicago community and more by providing hope, help, support, and education and improving the lives of people living with mood disorders ensuring access to quality healthcare. We applaud Phyllis and the DBSA organization for their outstanding services in both Chicago and across the nation.
Dr. Eugene Lipov www.gptsif.org, @Dr_EugeneLipov, @GlobalPTSIF
Dr. Eugene Lipov is Medical Director of Advance Pain Centers and the pioneer of the Chicago Block for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He runs the foundation Global Post Traumatic Stress Injury Foundation, and is here to share with us how he is bringing hope to the military and those that have been through severe trauma through an innovative procedure called the Stellate Ganglion Block.
Jessica Mead www.catholiccharities.net/Loss , @CCofChicago
Jessica Mead is the Program Coordinator for the Catholic Charities of Chicago LOSS program, a support program for survivors of suicide. She is here to share the work Catholic Charities has provided in Chicago for over 30 years; helping thousands of families cope with the effects of suicide. We are honored to have Jessica here on behalf of the LOSS program and bringing hope to surviving families and friends.
Penny Tate www.ifred.org, www.schoolsforhope.org, @ifredorg
Penny, Program Manager for Schools for Hope at iFred, is a strong advocate for youth mental health. She shares today steps iFred is taking locally, nationally, and internationally to ensure our children are taught skills critical to create, maintain, and share hope and ways you can be involved. We applaud her for shining a light of hope for our children.
Kathryn Goetzke www.ifred.org @ifredorg @kathryngoetzke
Kathryn Goetzke is the founder of iFred, the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression and President and CEO of The Mood Factory. Kathryn’s leadership, innovation, compassion, and dedication to end stigma with the color yellow, the sunflower and rebranding is our inspiration today.
9:15 am: Invitation to Plant and Share Hope
Plant Hope – We invite you to plant hope in Chicago and honor someone you know with depression or someone you have lost to suicide. Use the sunflower seed provided, and place the seed in the ground as a way to honor and support those in need in our Hope Garden in Lincoln Park. Come back and visit the sunflowers. Share the pics with family and friends, in a show of solidarity. @ifredorg #PlantHope #Hope2015
You may also take a packet of seeds home, and plant in your yard. Don’t forget to share with us their growth throughout the season! @ifredorg #PlantHope #GrowHope #BloomHope #hope2015
What Brings Me Hope Station – A great way to get hope, is to give hope. Visit our ‘What Brings Me Hope’ station, write out what brings you hope, have a photo taken, and share with the world to inspire others. Please use @ifredorg and use the hashtags @ifredorg #sharehope #hope2015
10:00-10:45 am: Free Yoga Class by Debbie Muraff
Please join us for a free yoga class led by accomplished Yogi, Debbie Muraff. Enjoy the day, breathe in the fresh air, and renew your spirit and body with a sense of hope and wellness. Leave the planting feeling healed, rejuvenated, and supported. Debbie has also brought free samplings of her amazing cookie brittle, “Sideways,” a gluten free, dairy free treat for wellness and feeling good. Want more for yourself or to give as gifts? Contact her at muraff@comcast.net!!!
Thank you! – Thank you to all who shared and planted hope with us today. And a huge thank you to the Chicago Park District for giving us the land to plant, and to our sponsors and participants for making this day possible:
Why the Sunflower?
- Sunflowers grow towards sunlight with their faces tracking the sun. We need those with depression to seek light instead of responding to the natural instinct of hiding in darkness during a depressive episode.
- Sunflowers are yellow; the color of joy, happiness and hope—symbolizing that depression can be successful treated. iFred believes this symbol, if used similarly to the pink ribbon for breast cancer or red dress for heart disease, can serve as a much more hopeful and positive universal icon for depression survivors.
- Sunflower seeds and oils contain antioxidants, Vitamin E and Omega 6’s. This kind of brain nutrition is incredibly important for those with depression.
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