Mental Health Awareness on the Move

The Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley was formed in September 2013 to build community support and awareness for individuals and families living with mental illness by organizing education programs, advocating for improvements in the criminal justice system related to individuals with mental health issues, and learning about and supporting community organizations that provide services. In 2014, the Coalition published a 32-page guide to mental health resources in Sedona and the Verde Valley.

From May 11-16, 2015, the Coalition reached over 500 members of the community through 13 free events including films, presentations, and community conversations. Among the highlights were the showing of Canvas by film maker Joe Greco, the story of a family (his family) where the mom is living with schizophrenia. Another film shown, Running from Crazy, is the Mariel Hemingway story of trying to break the cycle of suicides in her family. Other topics addressed children and mental health issues, recovery options, holistic healing methods, what it’s like to live with mental illness, and spirituality and resilience as a dimension of wellness.

On Saturday, May 16, members of the community gathered at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in Sedona to honor those lost to mental illness and for a community portrait, “The Faces of Compassion.”

For more information, visit MentalHealthCoalitionVV.org or phone 928-649-0135.