At our August 28th meeting, Club members showed support for Rotary's Mental Health Awareness program campaigns - 'Don’t Bottle It Up' and “How Are You Really?” as members raised their water bottles to show support.
These mental health campaigns originated with a multi-district Rotary Conference of the four Rotary districts covering South West England and South Wales. That conference saw many Rotarians embrace Rotary mental health awareness efforts with some of the delegates joining both the "Don’t Bottle It Up campaign" and also the new variation of the program– “How are you Really?”
The mission of the Mental Health Initiatives Rotary Action Group is to Break Stigma, Raise Awareness, and Increase Capacity for Treatment and Prevention.
Many individuals are directly and indirectly affected by mental health issues, so please "Don't Bottle It Up" - there is help out there. Don't suffer in silence.
Dana Erpelding, Senior Director of Operations for Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, a subsidiary of Vail Health Hospital in Colorado, joined the Club via Zoom to speak about 'Suicide Awareness and Prevention' and isolation and depression in older individuals. She shared information indicating rates of suicide have been increasing. Some factors include lack of deep social attachments, poor health, the 24/7 news cycle, lack of a sense of purpose, mental health professional shortage, smartphones and social media, and other factors.
Growing segments of affected individuals are older senior populations, not only teens and young people. She shared information about some signs we can look for among individuals we encounter, some things we may be able to do to help, as well as information about resources for help and crisis hotlines.
Our newest member, Todd Jarman, was presented with his Rotary pin. Welcome, Todd!
August 21
Our speaker was Jeff Struble, founder of 'Rhino Recreation Center'. Jeff shared information about the center and the many positive programs and activities available to young people. Kids are given increasing responsibilities and authority as they continue to grow, and they are shown to be able to handle new challenges. This helps them develop skills they need in the “real world” after high school. The slogan of the facility is, “Where kids are in CHARGE”.
One of the community projects Jeff is involved with for local elementary schools is 'Buddy Benches'. 'Buddy Benches' were invented to combat loneliness and bullying in schools. Sometimes called a 'friendship bench', these benches are placed on school playgrounds as a way for students to signal to others they are feeling lonely and isolated and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to. The bench allows other children on the playground to clearly see when another kid needs support or a friend, and they can join them on the bench for a chat or invite them to play. Also, in co-ordination with Jeff's business Fat Man's Pizza, events include AJ Open Mic events, Chess Club events and tournaments, AJ Kids Idol, as well as many other youth activities throughout the year.
Our speaker was Jennifer Hilderbrand, President of 'HOPE Mental Foundation'. HOPE Mental Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that focuses on helping provide therapy funds and resources for those in need and without financial resources to get the needed assistance. HOPE believes therapy is for anyone who can benefit from it - not just for the economically-advantaged. The group helps connect donors passionate about the positive benefits of mental health therapy with individuals who financially need help to obtain therapy. Individuals with economic challenges can receive sponsorships which allows them to be able to seek help from professional counselors. HOPE also provides no-cost community workshops based on societal needs. The group has annual fundraising events to help bring awareness to the needs, and also raise needed funds.
Terry Braun and his wife, Mary Tygart, joined us on the 7th. Terry shared information with the Club about ' American Heroes Foundation'. American Heroes Foundation is an Arizona-based 501(c)3. The organization is driven by a single goal - to support the health and wellness of our military veteran and first responder communities.
They focus on raising funds and donating money and time to their selected organizations that support veterans' and first responders' physical, mental, and emotional health needs. The organization is focusing on trying to help break the cycle of suicide, homelessness, and helplessness of those who voluntarily and honorably have served to help protect us. Our veterans and first responders need our support.
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At our August 28th meeting, Club members showed support for Rotary's Mental Health Awareness program campaigns - 'Don’t Bottle It Up' and “How Are You Really?” as members raised their water bottles to show support. 
Dana Erpelding, Senior Director of Operations for Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, a subsidiary of Vail Health Hospital in Colorado, joined the Club via Zoom to speak about 'Suicide Awareness and Prevention' and isolation and depression in older individuals. She shared information indicating rates of suicide have been increasing. Some factors include lack of deep social attachments, poor health, the 24/7 news cycle, lack of a sense of purpose, mental health professional shortage, smartphones and social media, and other factors. 
Our newest member, Todd Jarman, was presented with his Rotary pin. Welcome, Todd!
Our speaker was Jeff Struble, founder of 'Rhino Recreation Center'. Jeff shared information about the center and the many positive programs and activities available to young people. Kids are given increasing responsibilities and authority as they continue to grow, and they are shown to be able to handle new challenges. This helps them develop skills they need in the “real world” after high school.
Our speaker was Jennifer Hilderbrand, President of 'HOPE Mental Foundation'. HOPE Mental Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that focuses on helping provide therapy funds and resources for those in need and without financial resources to get the needed assistance. HOPE believes therapy is for anyone who can benefit from it - not just for the economically-advantaged. The group helps connect donors passionate about the positive benefits of mental health therapy with individuals who financially need help to obtain therapy. Individuals with economic challenges can receive sponsorships which allows them to be able to seek help from professional counselors. HOPE also provides no-cost community workshops based on societal needs. The group has annual fundraising events to help bring awareness to the needs, and also raise needed funds.
Terry Braun and his wife, Mary Tygart, joined us on the 7th. Terry shared information with the Club about ' American Heroes Foundation'.