May 2024 Meeting- Navigating Mental Health with Resilience and Support

Join us for an engaging and empowering luncheon dedicated to exploring the intersection of mental health and womanhood. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we are thrilled to host an event that highlights the unique challenges and triumphs women face in managing their mental well-being.

Our first speaker is Laura Janssen; she brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the table. As a board member at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), she offers invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of mental health. Through her own journey, she will share candidly about the hurdles she has overcome and the strategies she has employed to foster resilience and wellness.

The next speaker is Sydney Carpintero, Youth Services Coordinator for the Mobile Crisis Outreach (MCO) Program at Foundation 2. She will be sharing resources and valuable information about what to do if you know someone may be struggling with their mental health and how to help.

During this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing women's mental health, including societal expectations, life transitions, and biological factors.
• Explore practical strategies for self-care and stress management tailored to the needs of women.
• Discuss the importance of building a supportive network and seeking help when needed, both personally and professionally.
• Learn about the resources and services available through local organizations dedicated to mental health advocacy and support.

In addition to our speakers' presentations, this luncheon provides a unique networking opportunity for women from within our community to connect, share experiences, and forge meaningful connections. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an entrepreneur, or a student, this event promises to inspire, educate, and empower you on your journey to holistic well-being.

Join us as we come together to celebrate resilience, cultivate support, and break the stigma surrounding women's mental health. Together, we can create a community where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported in her mental health journey.

Meet the speakers:
Laura Janssen
Laura is currently the Director of Workforce Development for the NSCA. When she isn't working, she spends most of her free time volunteering for local nonprofits in Cedar Rapids, including for the NAMI Linn County board. Through her time with NAMI and her own experiences, Laura has become a mental health advocate and continues to share her story to help others understand it's okay to not be okay. Laura loves animals, is very much addicted to coffee, and enjoys reading, crocheting, and singing as often as she can!

Sydney Carpintero, MS (she/her/hers)
Sydney is the Youth Services Coordinator for the Mobile Crisis Outreach (MCO) Program at Foundation 2, a human services agency that offers crisis prevention and intervention programs to people of all ages. In her work, Sydney provides management and oversight for all youth services in the MCO program. Sydney oversees the Juvenile and Family Assistance and Stabilization Track (J-FAST) program, which focuses on providing immediate crisis support to youth and families in an effort to divert them from unnecessary hospitalizations, contact with law enforcement, and calls to HHS. In addition, Sydney is a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Instructor as well as an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) trainer, offering trainings on suicide many times throughout the year. Sydney holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Criminal Justice, and has spent most of her life in service to youth and families.