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Mental Health Council of the Big Bend releases Website & Videos

2020-08-05T21:28:05-04:00

The Mental Health Council of the Big Bend, formed in 2015, was founded to provide a forum for mental health providers, scholars and advocates to address mental health needs in our community. The group examined data from four specifically commissioned surveys and, with expert consensus from the breadth of experience of group members, developed conclusions, goals and action plans for the region moving forward. The Mental Health Council of the Big Bend is the only entity in Leon County composed of mental health subject matter experts, and related stakeholders, dedicated specifically to employing a data-driven approach to assessing mental health services in Florida’s Big Bend region.

To access their data results, along with informational videos, visit their website at https://mentalhealthcouncil.org.

Three community videos released in April 2019 include the following:

Mental Health Council of the Big Bend releases Website & Videos2020-08-05T21:28:05-04:00

2019 Bluebird Run – Record Attendance, 555 Runners, 70 Volunteers

2020-08-05T21:28:07-04:00
Bluebird_Banner

Monday, September 2, 2019
Record attendance , 555 registered runners, 70 volunteers

Thank you, thank you to all our sponsors, runners and volunteers who have helped make the ” 2019 Bluebird Run for Brookie B”  such a success.   Held each year on Labor Day since 2015, this is NAMI-Tallahassee’s major local event with a focus on suicide prevention and local postvention.

2019 Sustaining Sponsors: The Apalachee Center, Inc.; Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare  Luminiary Sponsors:  Capital Regional Medical Center; Tallahassee Democrat  Advocate Sponsors:  Darden Real Estate Company; Harvest Printing; InSite Media; Lamar Outdoor Advertising; Liebenhaut Law, PLLP; TMS Patient Care  Supporting Sponsors:  ABC Flooring;  Better Living Solutions; Capital Health Plan;  Cool Beanz Cafe; Fielder & Associates; Florida State Guardianship Association; Florida Therapy; Ron & Natholyn Harris; The Long Forgotten String Band; Mainline Systems; Manusa Law Firm, PA, Twelve Oaks Recovery Center

Access their website links – logos graphics and links included below:

Event History:
NAMI-Tallahassee held the Inaugural Bluebird Run for Brookie B. on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2015.  The event, a 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for suicide awareness, prevention and postvention exceeded our expectations — raising over $23,000. Over 350 runners and walkers traversed the brand new courses at JR Alford Greenway and the Lafayette Heritage Trail. This is more than double what the NAMI Tallahassee organizers originally anticipated.

The Bluebird Run scheduled for Monday, September 5, 2016 was cancelled due to conditions at JR Alford Greenway following Hurricane Hermine. We regreted that we were unable to find an appropriate date to reschedule.

The above photo is from a past event.  The 2019 event brought in 555 registrants in the walk and run with an additional 70 volunteers, plus added activities.  In addition:

  • There are 420 new Bluebird Run T-shirts with sponsor logos now out in the community.
  • There were 200 packets with a listing of sponsors and logos, sponsor promotions, suicide prevention, and mental health resources distributed.
  • Twelve vendors asked to table at the event – all with mental health resources available and on display.
  • There were 90 registrants identified as a Survivor of Suicide Loss on an optional registration question.
  • There were 44 registrants who identified as a Survivor of a Suicide Attempt on an optional registration question.
  • Sixty-six registrants asked to be kept informed on suicide issues on an optional registration question.

Where the Money Goes:
On January 25, 2017, Bluebird funds brought in Dr. Frank Campbell, founder of the LOSS Team concept.  For more information on “postvention” (support for the grief-stricken survivors of suicide loss) and local efforts on bringing a Suicide LOSS Team to Tallahassee, refer to an “Overview of Loss Teams,” by Dr. Frank Campbell or visit our LOSS Team webpage regarding the Campbell event.

Funding also enabled two mental health professionals of the LOSS Team of The Big Bend, to attend the April 2017 National LOSS Team Conference.  The theme of the conference was “Strength in Numbers: Engaging the Community in Suicide Postvention.”  It provided an opportunity for mental health professionals, first responders, school counselors, suicide loss survivors, LOSS Team members, and others from the community to learn more about suicide postvention.   The LOSS Team of the Big Bend meets regularly and can be reached for additional information by contacting Lossteam@nami-tallahassee.org.

Thank you to the many individuals who helped to make this event a great success, Many thanks to all you Bluebirds!

Bluebird Run for Brookie B
Organized by NAMI Tallahassee

Brook Bowers ended her life on January 13, 2012. She was 31 years old and diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder. As we remember Brook and other families, we need YOUR help to educate our community about mental illness and suicide. Come run, walk or volunteer to help our Bluebird Run be successful for years to come.

Listen to us on WFSU-FM 88.9:
“Perspectives” with Tom Flannigan

August 24, 2018: Death by suicide remains a very uncomfortable as well as a tragic topic. But more people and organizations than ever before are now working together in the cause of suicide prevention and awareness. Discussing the issue: Steve Litherland, certified recovery peer specialist with the Apalachee Center; Mary Bowers, former NAMI-Tallahassee board president whose youngest daughter Brook died by suicide after struggling with mental illness for years; MaKenna Woods, PhD candidate with FSU’s College of Social Work whose research includes veteran and adolescent suicide, intervention and prevention.

Click image to access interview.

September 9, 2016: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. The reasons so many people kill themselves and the latest tools and therapies to address the issue: FSU College of Medicine Clinical Psychologist Dr. Heather Flynn; former NAMI-Tallahassee President and suicide survivor Mary Bowers; and Dr. John Bailey from TMS Health Care.

Click image to access interview.

August 13, 2015 : Talking about suicide, its victims and survivors, are Mary Bowers whose daughter Brook took her own life in 2012 and Nancy O’Farrell (both affiliated with NAMI Tallahassee), along with Lee’s Place Founder Brenda Rabalais and Pam Mezzina with Big Bend Hospice.

Perspectives_photo

Click image to access interview.

2019 Bluebird Run – Record Attendance, 555 Runners, 70 Volunteers2020-08-05T21:28:07-04:00

Contact Us

2020-02-09T13:05:02-05:00

Contact Us Form:

Contact Us2020-02-09T13:05:02-05:00

Dec. 17 – Holiday Party & Annual Meeting

2019-12-04T12:22:02-05:00

Holiday Potluck Party & Annual Membership Meeting

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 – 6:00 p.m.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 2198 North Meridian, Fellowship Hall, Tallahassee

The Holiday Party will give our members a chance to get to know new members, visit with old friends and recognize the hard work of our outgoing Board members and committee volunteers.

As always, NAMI Tallahassee will provide the entrée and drinks.  Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share.  This is a family-freindly event.

At our annual membership meeting, affiliate business includes the election of any new Board members and bylaws revisions.

Dec. 17 – Holiday Party & Annual Meeting2019-12-04T12:22:02-05:00
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