With a mission to provide awareness to mental health by removing the stigma associated with emotional and mental illness, Thrive Morris’ Team De-Stig alongside the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris Counties will host their culminating season finale together as a LIVE family-friendly virtual Zoom event with guest host Tommy Hilcken of Tommy Hilcken Productions on Tuesday, May 18 at 4 PM EST.

The event will bring together children, adolescents, young adults, and elders for an informative discussion on mental health and suicide prevention.

                               Due to the pandemic, concerns over mental health have risen. In fact, 41% of adults and 56% of young adults (aged 18-24) reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and 26% reported having suicidal thoughts. Many parents/guardians have also reported heightened concerns for their child(ren)’s emotional well-being.

Furthermore, suicide rates continue to be on the rise. According to the CDC, suicide is a major contributor to premature mortality. Our elders make up 12% of the U.S. population and account for 18% of all suicide deaths.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to listen and interact with professionals who specialize in pediatric and adult anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. Participants will be able to engage in activities including impromptu comedy, participate in age-appropriate crafts, and takeaway invaluable strategies to help loved ones who are battling mental illnesses.

The event schedule is as follows:

  • 4:00 PM – Chat & Craft: Parents & Kids, What Would You Do? An honest conversation with parents/guardians on how they can identify their own child’s complicated feelings of loneness, anxiety, and depression as a result of the pandemic. The team will also present a list of tools and strategies parents can begin to implement to support their young child(ren).
  • 4:40 PM – Mental Health Players: Young Adults, What Would You Do? A professional improv team from Active Minds will perform a skit that showcases the effects of how the pandemic and quarantine have left many young adults feeling more anxious and experiencing feelings of depression and anger.
  • 5:10 PM – Mental Health Players: Senior, What Would You Do? A professional improv team that will present an intimate look at how loneliness and anxiety are contributing to our elders; leading many to experience suicidal thoughts.

Tommy is a Toastmasters Humorous Speech Champion, a member of the National Speakers Association, and a certified life success consultant by the Proctor Gallagher Institute, founded by speaker, author, coach, and mentor Bob Proctor. His sought-after “close-up” magic show has been able to explain complicated topics to young minds. As a motivational humorist and keynote speaker, he believes in using laughter to help his audience learn, embedding a crafted message that best serves the audience, and delivering value to any business meeting, community event, or private gathering. As a life success consultant, he helps others break through their fears and challenges, move away from those things holding them back and toward what they want.

People between the ages of nine months and 99-year-young are invited. To reserve your spot in the upcoming event, RSVP here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJArd-itpzkuE9KsZsWOZ1FftDh0oYi8_Ihi.

To follow the event on social media, please use the following hashtags:

#teamdestig, #mentalhealthmatters, #changelives.

A collection of memorabilia and branded gift items will be available for purchase designed by Mary Jo DeFranco of Metrographics. All purchases can be mailed directly to residential and commercial addresses.  All proceeds will benefit the Mental Health Association of Morris and Essex and its continued mission to de-stigmatize mental health conditions.

Avidon Health, the leading health engagement and behavior change company behind the Engagement Rx™ platform, is proud to be a platinum sponsor for the event.