Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) and The Youth Mental Health Project are introducing regional chapters of The Parent Support Network to the panhandle. Two local events will be held in Okaloosa and Walton counties to discuss The Parent Support Network and the regional chapters being developed. The new resources will provide local parents and caregivers who are concerned about their children’s mental health with an opportunity to find and support each other in a confidential and safe space.
The events will take place in October, both free to attend. One will be held in Okaloosa County and the other in Walton County. Each event will be 90 minutes long with a presentation by The Youth Mental Health Project team including Valerie Barton, Executive Director and Tyesha Branch, Program Manager. The Walton County event will take place on October 17, 2022 at Van R Butler Elementary School at 5 p.m., and the Okaloosa County event will take place on October 18, 2022 at United Way Emerald Coast at 5 p.m.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Children's Volunteer Health Network in offering parent and caregiver support groups to families in Walton and Okaloosa counties,” said Barton. “Our youth mental health crisis continues, so it is critical that caregivers who are struggling to raise children with mental health challenges tell their stories to others who have "been there" and get the support and information they need to cope."
The Youth Mental Health Project aims to educate, empower, and support families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of local youth. CVHN initially sought out a partnership with The Youth Mental Health Project in fall 2021 with a screening of No Letting Go, a film that follows the story of a family dealing with a young son who is struggling with mental illness. As CVHN continued to focus on eliminating barriers to accessible and affordable healthcare for children in need, the Santa Rosa Beach nonprofit decided to collaborate once again to officially bring The Parent Support Network to the panhandle.
"The mission and work of the Youth Mental Health Project perfectly aligns with what we hope to offer to the families in our community. Introducing The Parent Support Network will allow caregivers to find others who understand, who have the same struggles, and share support and resources to help all of our kids in their mental wellness journey,” said Associate Executive Director of CVHN, Megan Trent.
For more information on this partnership and upcoming events, follow CVHN on Facebook and visit https://www.cvhnkids.org/
