Mental Health America Fredericksburg Region

Mental Health America - Supporting Youth Mental Health in Rural Communities
2024-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Mental Health America Fredericksburg Region is proud to be an affiliate of Mental Health America.
Continue reading to learn more about a free webinar hosted by MHA.
Youth in rural areas face a unique set of challenges when it comes to their mental health. Isolation, limited access to services, and stigma often create significant barriers to health and healing.
Speakers
Julie Lux, Rural Minds VP of Communications
Trace Terrell, Youth Public Mental Health Policy Advocate
Max Delgado, Youth Mental Health Advocate
Join MHA and guests for this free, 60-minute session where we will:

Hear from young people about their experiences living in rural areas
Discuss unique factors that impact youth mental health in rural areas
Explore successful programs and systems that have addressed these challenges
Learn strategies for fostering resilience and creating supportive environments

Click here to register for this online webinar!

Board Meeting (In-Person)
2024-10-15 17:30 - 20:30, 2024-08-20 17:30 - 20:30 | VA

A Mental Health Advocacy Book Discussion: 72 Hour Hold
2024-10-15 12:00 - 14:00 | VA
Join Dr. Fredrica Brooks-Davis for a live book discussion about Bebe Moore Campbell’s, “72 Hour Hold,” a fictional story inspired by her relationship with a close family member. This book tells the story of a mother coping with her daughter’s bipolar diagnosis, navigating a broken mental health care system, and experiencing stigma associated with mental illness in the Black community.
We encourage you to explore Bebe Moore Cambell’s works by reading “72 Hour Hold,” registering for the event, and submitting your questions for our live book discussion.
During our live 60-minute session, you will:
· Learn about Bebe Moore Campbell and her legacy
· Hear from Dr. Brooks-Davis & her guest on their takeaways from “72 Hour Hold”
· Engage in a discussion where you can either submit questions ahead of time or ask them during the session to dive deeper into the themes of “72 Hour Hold”
Buy “72 Hour Hold” at a bookstore near you or order it.
Register today by clicking here!

Indigenous Peoples' Day
2024-10-14 | VA

Monthly Senior Visitors Volunteer Meeting
2024-10-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
Join us for our FIRST IN PERSON Senior Visitors volunteer meeting. Our dedicated volunteers connect with older adults in our community through the Senior Visitors program at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Together, we combat loneliness, promote mental well-being, and build lasting friendships.
If you are a current volunteer, an invitation link has been sent to your email inbox. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please reach out to the Senior Visitors Program Lead with any questions or concerns.
Call us at (540) 371-2704 or click here for more information on how to become a volunteer with Senior Visitors.

Monthly Senior Visitors Volunteer Meeting
2024-10-08 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-09-14 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-10 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-08-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 | VA
Join us for our monthly Senior Visitors volunteer meeting. Our dedicated volunteers connect with older adults in our community through the Senior Visitors program at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. Together, we combat loneliness, promote mental well-being, and build lasting friendships.
If you are a current volunteer, an invitation link has been sent to your email inbox. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please reach out to the Senior Visitors Program Lead with any questions or concerns.
Call us at (540) 371-2704 or click here for more information on how to become a volunteer with Senior Visitors.

Bowling Green Harvest Festival
2024-10-01 09:00 - 16:00 | Main Street Bowling Green, VA, Main Street, Bowling Green, VA, United States
Join Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at 34th Annual Bowling Green Harvest Festival! We will be out in the community distributing swag, cable locks for firearms, medication disposal kits, and information about other nonprofit organizations in Planning District 16. We would love to see you there – read on for more information!
The Bowling Green Harvest Festival is Caroline County’s largest annual event and is getting bigger and better each year, drawing crowds of an estimated 15,000+ enthusiastic attendees.
The 34th Annual Harvest Festival will be held, rain or shine on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating another year of family fun!
We will close Main Street for everyone to safely enjoy the food, shopping, and other activities. There will be live entertainment throughout the day, performed by some of the best talents in the region.

2nd Annual Downtown Disco: Break the Silence for Suicide Prevention
2024-09-21 19:00 - 22:00 | Market Square, 214 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA!
Join Mental Health America of Fredericksburg as we BREAK THE SILENCE for Suicide Prevention. MHAfred is hosting the 2nd Annual Downtown Disco in Market Square on September 21st. We are partnering with the community to put on a night of educational fun. This family friendly event serves as a connection to resources in our community and an opportunity to learn about Suicide Prevention Education. This year, our DJ is none other than the “Fredericksburg famous” Seth Casana. Let’s BREAK THE SILENCE for Suicide Prevention Awareness together! Purchase your tickets by visiting this link: Downtown Disco: Break the Silence (zeffy.com). All donations support Suicide Prevention Education at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
Make sure to check back for details about featured speakers, booths, and sponsors! Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date!

Visit our Zeffy page for ticket information and sponsorship opportunities by clicking here.

Board Meeting (Teams)
2024-09-17 17:30 - 20:30 | VA

Jake Lowery Annual Stop Suicide Event
2024-09-14 12:00 - 18:00 | Adventure Brewing Company, 33 Perchwood Dr, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405, United States
Each year, the Lowery Family honors Jake’s memory by hosting a free community family-fun event with a food truck, a 50/50 raffle, and a raffle for prizes. Also offered are resources encouraging open discussions about suicide and the need to create safe spaces to ask for help – no one should suffer in silence.
Furthering these goals, the Lowery Family donates all event proceeds to the nonprofit Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s Suicide Prevention Programs, supporting local teens. Please donate online if you want a tax receipt from MHAfred for your records or cannot attend but want to help ensure resources are available for local teens.
A resident of Stafford County, Tara Lowery’s journey and story are featured in the Verify News Video Series: NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT: Understanding the Rise of Youth Suicide.
The full Verify News report provides an impactful awareness of the current epidemic of suicides among teens and helpful information for parents, teachers, and others who love them. How pandemic, mental health affected youth suicide in U.S. | verifythis.com
We hope you will join the Lowery Family at this year’s event. The event will be held at Adventure Brewery Company, 33 Pearchwood Drive, Suite 101, Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, between 12 noon and 6 PM.

Supporting Young Minds: The Power of Youth Peer Support
2024-09-12 13:00 - 14:00 | VA
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is an Affiliate of Mental Health America. Register today to learn more about youth peer support at this free 60 minute session.
Peer support is a powerful tool for improving youth mental health. Feeling safe and understood by someone in a similar situation can be the key in youth feeling comfortable enough to ask for help and receive support.
Join Mental Health America and guests for a free 60-minute session where we will:

Hear from youth involved in peer support programs
Discuss how peer support can be a powerful tool in improving youth mental health
Explore the different types of peer support available

Whether you’re a young person, educator, mental health professional, caregiver, or simply passionate about supporting young people, this webinar will equip you with valuable insights on the benefits of youth peer support.
Click here and register today!

Healthy Generations: Electric Stride!
2024-09-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Riverfront Park, 705 Sophia St, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
WALK THROUGH BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG
Starting with a 9:30 am registration at Riverfront Park, join other walkers for a leisurely stroll or a morning power walk through downtown Fredericksburg. Walk the same streets as George Washington and his family, Civil War soldiers and everyday residents of then and now.
Register at: Electric Stride 2024 | Healthy Generations
Where: Riverfront Park – 701 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg VA 22401
Date: September 14, 2024
Start Time: 9:30 am
ABOUT HEALTHY GENERATIONS
Created as a not-for-profit corporation in July of 1976, Healthy Generations serves Planning District 16, comprised of the City of Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. The Oder Americans Act, as amended, stipulates that each state establish Area Agencies on Aging to be responsible for the development of services for senior citizens. Area Agencies on Aging have the responsibility for developing such services so that available programs remain responsive to the needs of the elderly.
The Mission: Enhance the quality of life for all older citizens.
The Vision: Promote and assure the highest level of service attainable for every older person living in Planning District 16, which will provide the opportunity to live a more dignified and meaningful life.
HGAAA Can Help With:

Emergency Assistance
Employment Training
Home Delivered Meals
Homemaker Services
Legal Assistance (referral)
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Senior Cafes
Directory and Newsletter
Telephone Reassurance Checking
Transportation
Virginia Insurance Counseling

Labor Day
2024-09-02 | VA

Webinar - Peer Supervision: National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification Model Standard 11, What is Supervision? (Third Session)
2024-08-12 13:00 - 14:30 | WEBINAR – online
The “National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification” is the first substantive document on peer support published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration since the 2015 landmark publication of “SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services.” Much has changed (as evidenced by the depth and breadth of the content areas packed into the 35 Standards pages), and all but one state now has state-run or state-endorsed peer certification programs.

For the third session, facilitators will discuss Standard 11: Peer Supervision. Model Standard 11, What is Supervision? Discussions around peer supervision can be incredibly confusing because of peer support stakeholders’ different backgrounds and lived experiences. In this deep dive into Standard 11 of “The National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification,” we will share basic definitions of the terminology used in this model standard and how that language fits into the more significant concepts addressed directly and indirectly in this standard, including ensuring that the emerging profession of peer support thrives as part of the continuum of care in behavioral health without eliminating the unique characteristics of peer support, such as the active use of lived experience, that are essential to its success.
At the end of Session 3, participants will be able to:

Define what “supervision” means according to Standard 11.

List and describe the five Pillars of Peer Support Supervision.

Explain how other model standards (including 2, 4, 8, and 9) are incorporated into this standard.

Use the website link below to register for this series’s third and remaining webinar, or Register for Session 3 here.

National Health Center Week with CVHS Fredericksburg
2024-08-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Super 8, 557 Warrenton Road, Fredericksburg, VA, 22406, United States
For National Health Center Week, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is spotlighting Central Virginia Health Services. CVHS was founded in 1970, making it the oldest, and largest, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Virginia. You can find more information about CVHS by visiting their website or visiting their page in the MHAfred HELPLINE mental health provider database.
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. – National Health Center Week
The CVHS is partnering with the Stafford Sheriff Department to offer services at 5:00 pm at Super 8 on Warrenton Rd. These services include Blood Pressure Checks, Glucose Level Checks, Hot Meals, Narcan Training, and Health & Community Information.
Central Virginia Health Services is also providing resources throughout the week! These events are detailed in our community calendar for your convenience.
Date: August 8th, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Super 8
557 Warrenton Rd
Fredericksburg, VA 22406

National Health Center Week with CVHS Fredericksburg
2024-08-08 15:00 - 17:00 | America Best Value Inn, 605 Warrenton Road, Fredericksburg, 22406, United States
For National Health Center Week, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is spotlighting Central Virginia Health Services. CVHS was founded in 1970, making it the oldest, and largest, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Virginia. You can find more information about CVHS by visiting their website or visiting their page in the MHAfred HELPLINE mental health provider database.
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. – National Health Center Week
The CVHS is partnering with the Stafford Sheriff Department to offer services at 4:00 pm at America Best Value Inn on Warrenton Rd. These services include Blood Pressure Checks, Glucose Level Checks, Hot Meals, Narcan Training, and Health & Community Information.
Central Virginia Health Services is also providing resources throughout the week! These events are detailed in our community calendar for your convenience.
Date: August 8th, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: America Best Value Inn
605 Warrenton Rd
Fredericksburg, VA 22406

National Health Center Week with CVHS Fredericksburg
2024-08-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Excel Inn & Suites, 594 Warrenton Road, Fredericksburg, 22406, United States
For National Health Center Week, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is spotlighting Central Virginia Health Services. CVHS was founded in 1970, making it the oldest, and largest, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Virginia. You can find more information about CVHS by visiting their website or visiting their page in the MHAfred HELPLINE mental health provider database.
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. – National Health Center Week
The CVHS is partnering with the Stafford Sheriff Department to offer services at 3:00 pm at Excel Inn & Suites at 594 Warrenton Rd. These services include Blood Pressure Checks, Glucose Level Checks, Hot Meals, Narcan Training, and Health & Community Information.
Central Virginia Health Services is also providing resources throughout the week! These events are detailed in our community calendar for your convenience.
Date: August 8th, 2024
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Excel Inn & Suites
594 Warrenton Rd
Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Webinar: Peer Support - National Standards for Peer Support Certification: Model Standard 7, What is Recovery? (Second Session)
2024-08-05 13:00 - 14:30 | WEBINAR – online
Join MHAfred staff on day two in a series of webinars about the National Standards for Peer Support Certification. Session Two is a deep dive into Model Standard 7, What is Recovery?
Discover how organizations and communities with different understandings of “abstinent recovery” can thrive while aligning with national standards. At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Define what “recovery” means according to Standard 7.
Describe how the standards address Medication Assisted Recovery and the purpose and goal of each of the 11 standards.
Explain the role of recovery-pathway-specific requirements in state-level certification requirements.

Use the website link below to register for this webinar. For more information about the series, please visit here to learn more or register for additional sessions.

CVHS: Back-2-School Giveaways
2024-08-05 09:00 - 12:00 | CVHS Fredericksburg, 1965 Emancipation Highway Suite 100, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
Central Virginia Health Services, a partner of MHAfred, is hosting a Back-2-School Giveaway on August 5th! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the CVHS and receive some needed school supplies! The event will be held at the Fredericksburg CVHS from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
For National Health Center Week, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is spotlighting Central Virginia Health Services. CVHS was founded in 1970, making it the oldest, and largest, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Virginia. You can find more information about CVHS by visiting their website or visiting their page in the MHAfred HELPLINE mental health provider database.
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. – National Health Center Week
Central Virginia Health Services is also providing resources throughout the week! These events are detailed in our community calendar for your convenience.

National Health Center Week
2024-08-04 - 2024-08-10 | VA
For National Health Center Week, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg is spotlighting Central Virginia Health Services. CVHS was founded in 1970, making it the oldest, and largest, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Virginia. You can find more information about CVHS by visiting their website or visiting their page in the MHAfred HELPLINE mental health provider database.
National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. – National Health Center Week
Central Virginia Health Services is also providing resources throughout the week! These events are detailed in our community calendar for your convenience.

Webinar: Peer Services - An Overview of “The National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification" (Session 1)
2024-07-29 13:00 - 14:30 | WEBINAR – online
The National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification” is the first substantive document on peer support published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration since the 2015 landmark publication of “SAMHSA’s Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services.” A lot has changed (as evidenced by the depth and breadth of the content areas packed into the 35 pages of the Standards); and all but one state now have state-run or state-endorsed peer certification programs.
The first session, held on July 29 (1-2:30pm ET), will be an overview of the 11 standards and introduction to a matrix that groups can use to determine their compliance with the standards and whether or not the standards apply to their state/organization. Then we will do a deep dive into the two standards that have generated the most discussion among the stakeholders we have been in contact with since the release of the standards in 2023. The second session, held on August 5 (1-2:30pm ET), will review Standard 7: Recovery. For the third session, held on August 12 (1-2:30pm ET) facilitators will discuss Standard 11: Peer Supervision.

At the end of Session 1, participants will be able to:

Define what National Model Standards are generally, including whether they are mandated under federal law, can states tie funding to them, is there a timeline for their implementation, etc.
Describe the purpose and/or goal of each of the 11 standards
Describe the purpose of the matrix, and when and how it should be used.

To learn more or register, follow the website link below. For additional sessions in the series, please visit here.

Webinar – Healing School Communities in the Context of Faith-Based Bullying, day two
2024-07-25 14:00 - 15:30 | WEBINAR – online
During BIPOC mental health awareness month, join MHAfred staff for day two of this webinar series – Healing School Communities in the Context of Faith-Based Bullying, exploring bullying & belonging with attention to faith-based experiences of stigma, contention, conflict, and policies and programs that foster religious literacy, thereby enhancing school culture and climate. The series is intended for students, families, educators, and school mental health professionals who are navigating the ongoing impact of faith-based bullying on student and staff mental health.
On July 23rd and 25th, 2024, we will examine recent data (quantitative and qualitative) that can help us drive school mental health leadership, policies, and programs that foster safety for students and staff, specifically those who are experiencing high levels of xenophobia, exclusion, scapegoating, and more.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Webinar - Healing School Communities in the Context of Faith-Based Bullying
2024-07-23 14:00 - 15:30 | WEBINAR – online
During BIPOC mental health awareness month, join MHAfred staff for day one of this webinar series – Healing School Communities in the Context of Faith-Based Bullying, exploring bullying & belonging with attention to faith-based experiences of stigma, contention, conflict, and policies and programs that foster religious literacy, thereby enhancing school culture and climate. The series is intended for students, families, educators, and school mental health professionals who are navigating the ongoing impact of faith-based bullying on student and staff mental health.
On July 23rd and 25th, 2024, we will examine recent data (quantitative and qualitative) that can help us drive school mental health leadership, policies, and programs that foster safety for students and staff, specifically those who are experiencing high levels of xenophobia, exclusion, scapegoating, and more.

Webinar: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Individuals Living with Sickle Cell Disease
2024-07-22 15:00 - 16:30 | WEBINAR – online
Join MHAfred staff who will be attending this SAMHSA training:
In observance of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs are excited to host a virtual event titled “The Thriving Warrior: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Individuals Living with Sickle Cell Disease.”
As life expectancy for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has increased, there is a concomitant surge in the need and demand for resources to enhance quality of life, including mental health. Psychiatric disorders, especially depression and anxiety, are common in both children and adults with SCD and can be exacerbated by chronic and/or acute medical issues, socioeconomic factors, and the trauma and ongoing toll of receiving stigmatizing, biased care. In this panel, you will hear from warriors across the lifespan who will share their experiences, opportunities, and challenges in addressing their mental health and building the necessary resiliency, self-care, and support systems.
Event: SCD and mental health panel—Two warrior TED Talks followed by a facilitated panel discussion with 3 additional warriors/spouse of a warrior.
Moderator: Marsha Treadwell, Ph.D., Professor in Residence, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, UCSF School of Medicine; Co-Director, UCSF Sickle Cell Center of Excellence; Jordan Fund Endowed Chair, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland

TRAINING - For Teens - How to be Happy, Less Stressed, and Thrive
2024-07-14 00:00 - 2024-08-24 00:00 | Online – The Science of Well-Being for Teens, United States
MHAfred recommends this online self-paced mini-course tailored for high schoolers. It provides a concise introduction to Positive Psychology, which explores the factors contributing to happiness. With this knowledge, teens can set personal goals for enhancing well-being and developing healthier habits. The course runs for six weeks and requires just three hours each week. Registration is open until the course ends in mid-August. Free to Coursera members, a free 7-day trial and course can be completed within that timeframe.
Follow the web link in this MHAfred calendar posting for registration and a video presentation from Dr. Laurie Santos, professor of the popular Yale course Psychology and the Good Life. She explains why she developed this course for teens and what you can expect.
From the professor: A recent survey found that 37% of teens say they have poor mental health. This 6-week course aims to curb this mental health crisis by combining the best insights from Dr. Laurie Santos’ popular Yale course Psychology and the Good Life. In this course, you will explore what the field of psychology teaches us about how to be happier, how to feel less stressed, and how to thrive in high school and beyond. The lessons and short weekly ‘happiness homework’ assignments will ultimately prepare you to put these scientific findings into practice. The ultimate goal is for you to feel better and build healthier habits.
Note: This course is not affiliated with Yale University and does not offer grades, credits, or student status. THE SCIENCE OF WELL-BEING FOR TEENS WAS PRODUCED IN PART DUE TO THE GENEROUS FUNDING OF THE ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION AND THE JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION.
Parents, teachers, and professionals supporting teenagers may also find the course relevant and beneficial.
