Event Timeline:

5:35-5:50 Opening Presentation

5:50-6:25 Breakout Session A

6:25-6:45 Performances

6:45-7:20 Breakout Session B

7:20-7:30 Closing Ceremony

About Opening Presentation:

Presented by Peer Support Space Executive Director and Co-Founder, Yasmin Flasterstein. We will take a look at problems existent within our local mental health system, examine strategies to fix those issues, and explain the impact of those strategies.

About Breakout Session A:

4 breakout rooms to choose from, each led by a community that Peer Support Space supports. Sessions are created in a peer-led process where peer facilitators, individuals with lived experience, are uplifted to create an exciting, unique 30 minute session on what they wish people knew about their community.

What's good family? A collective BIPOC Mental Health Check in: Calling BIPOC folx and allies to join Tamia & Kevin, facilitators for Peer Support Space’s monthly virtual gathering Your Black Matters for a mental health check in. (Special thank you to Truelieve for sponsoring this session!)

Diversability: A session hosted by Bell Giannosa, Peer Facilitator for the Diversability peer gathering. They will be going over the need for communal support for individuals that have chronic physical conditions, mobility impairments, or that are otherwise differently abled.

The Autistic Culture and Community: What We Wish You Knew: In this session Ari explains the common misconceptions made around terminology and language currently in circulation to discuss autism and autistic people. Labels surrounding functioning, pathologization,and person-first language, and similar topics will be discussed. Ari will also outline the lesser-known demographics of who makes up the autistic community to further dispel stereotypes and show autism’s diversity.

Becoming Certified as a Peer Specialist: During this session, Maria speaks on what a Peer Specialist is, the importance of each individual's recovery journey and the value peers bring to the community and to service providers. Maria will also provide a detailed overview of the steps it takes to become a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist within the State of Florida

About Performances:

Peer Support Space believes that individuals are unique and that there are multiple routes of recovery. Performers are from different communities showcasing the variety of ways they emote and cope.

Tap Dance by Kat, A tap-dancing piece that speaks to a time in my life when I put a mask of happiness on for the world while truly feeling utterly hopeless and alone.
Spoken word by Roman Blck, “The longest relationship I ever had was with depression and here’s our love letters for you to hear.”
An Original Song by Beaux, I was diagnosed as manic depressive (bipolar) at 16... I'm 68... It's survivable...Other than that my message is Inclusion, Unity and Hope...
Comedy skit by Amethyst Barron, a queer and non-binary Toronto-based comic, producer and writer. They are known for their witty one-liners dealing with topics like inter-generational trauma, madness, psychiatry, feminism and more.
Contemporary Dance by Liv Curatalo and Katelynn Draper, In the following piece Katelynn plays a supportive role in Liv telling her story: The journey of discovering myself after trauma; after being kicked out of my own heart. Finding homeostasis after living in survival mode. A divine unraveling of this queer body. A ceremonious coming home. Finally finding freedom. Taking my first deep breath as Me. I am a queer woman finally living in her truth. Thank you for witnessing me.

About Breakout Session B:

4 more breakout rooms to choose from, each led by a community that Peer Support Space supports. Sessions are created in a peer-led process where peer facilitators, individuals with lived experience, are uplifted to create an exciting, unique 30 minute session on what they wish people knew about their community.

Yoga for Self Empowerment & Love: Join Sarah Summey, RYT-200, for a gentle, but empowering yoga flow. Sarah will order modifications & challenges making it appropriate for ALL levels. Most importantly, You will leave with some tips and tricks for bringing movement into your day to cultivate body neutrality & a self love practice. (Special thank you to Central Florida Behavioral Hospital for sponsoring this session!)

Música Maestro! Expressing Latinx art and culture through music! Hosted by Hablamos Más facilitators, Juanita Carbajal and Claudia Swonger, join the session for a live performance, and to discuss myths/facts related to mental health. Valentina Arteaga will be performing, all the way from Columbia, a variety of uplifting acoustic songs sung in Spanish and sharing, in English, her personal journey with Depression and how music therapy has helped her heal and cope better.

LGBTQ+ Asian Mental Health: Join Bryant, Lotus' facilitator, for a discussion on the intersection of being Asian and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, common misconceptions, and ways to support our community. (Special thank you to Central Florida Behavioral Hospital for sponsoring this session!)

When Two Just Isn't Enough: Society, Identity & Gender: Join Tisse for an exploration of the societal context of gender. Where have you felt like you were told what to wear, how to be, what to like, or even how to feel? What does it take to step boldly into your own truths?

It’s really important to us that all of our services are accessible and approachable, because of this we never charge for our peer-led services. We also wanted to give folks an opportunity to deep dive into learning more about the communities we work in partnership with - as such, this event is free, but we do appreciate donations from anyone who has the means to give. All donations allow us to continue to provide life-saving emotional support resources.

Sponsorship options and benefits are available at: https://rb.gy/8jjllf

For questions email: yasmin@peersupportspace.org

Emotional Justice: Listen, Learn, and Amplify