For the first time ever, the Somerset Hills YMCA is joining with the Healthy Outcomes Partnership (HOP) to present a full five days of presentations on a broad range of topics related to achieving mental and emotional health and well-being. And, it’s absolutely free and open to the entire community. Nearly 30 national and local experts in behavioral health, family/couple dynamics, child and teen development and elder care will provide current information and resources to attendees at more than 20 presentations that will be conducted at various times throughout the week at the Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge. View the current schedule for the week.

Here are the speaker presentations so far for the week:

Emma Shelby on Mental Health 101.

Stephanie Mulfinger on NJMentalHealthCares hotline

Carmine Deo and Susan Visser on The Broad Spectrum of Mental Illness and It’s Treatment

Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps on healthy relationships and the handout.

Irene Lebbad on Sexual Violence: Beginning the Dialog.

Reverend Greg Miller on Where is God in this Mess?

Dr. Brad Sachs on The Good Enough Teen.

Coverage from Tuesday May 12 Courier News:
The need to Grieve
PTSD from Iraq
Dr. Brad Sachs will talk about teens Thursday night at Bernards High
Woman stresses the need to know the warning signs of teen suicide
Chronic dementia caregivers need helping hand
Decision to seek outside help is in best interest of family

Coverage from last Thursday’s Bernardsville News
Bringing mental health issues out of shadows through Somerset YMCA

Here are the top 11 topics requested (from 162 survey respondents):

1. Exercise’s role in mental health
2. Stress
3. Anxiety – Depression (tied)
4. Holistic mindfulness approaches
5. Available therapies and medication
6. Advances in brain science/understanding the causes of mental illness
7. Navigating the mental health system
8. Support networks/programs and their affect on health
9. Dealing with rebellious children/teens
10. Role of faith and pastoral support in achieving well-being