From Optimus Health Care:
OPTIMUS Health Care, Inc., a leading community health center network headquartered in Bridgeport, CT, and the OPTIMUS Foundation are offering an online mental health symposium on Thursday, March 10, from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm. To register for the symposium, click here
“We Hope, We Lift, We Rise” is an annual community conversation created by OPTIMUS Health Care to educate the public about the importance of mental health and explore new and traditional approaches to care, especially for women and girls.
The theme of this year’s event is “Journey from Darkness into the Light.” It will feature keynote speaker Melissa Bernstein, founder of the internationally successful toy company, Melissa & Doug.
Through the lens of her own experience, Melissa Bernstein will shine a light on the potential for healing within each of us. Her narrative includes failure, fear, triumph, and success through life-long anxiety and depression. She will address the conventional treatment and mindfulness techniques she engaged to restore her mental health.
Melissa Bernstein’s experience as an entrepreneur and working mother of six children includes the co-founding of a toy company focused on non-technological play and self-discovery for children. She also founded Lifelines, a breakthrough nonfiction book and online content platform that helps adults strengthen their resilience and unlock their full potential. She lives in Westport, Connecticut, with her husband, Doug, and their children.
Following the keynote address, a panel discussion will address related mental health issues. Panelists include:
Wendy Battles, Creator of Reinvention Rebels
Nancy Kingwood, MA, MS, President/Executive Director, GBAPP, Inc.
Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz, M.D., DFAPA, Staff Psychiatrist, Silver Hill Hospital
Lisa Sheehan, Facilitator, Community Mindfulness Project
