Tompkins Celebrates Mental Health

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Hundreds of community members turned out in Ithaca’s Stewart Park May 11 for the second annual Better Together for Mental Health, the free-of-charge fair featuring live music, dance, wellness workshops, information tables, carousel rides, face painting, story times, street food, ice cream, and cookies.

Mayor Robert Cantelmo presents the city’s proclamation to organizers Michelle Eells and Jadyn McCune

Mayor Robert Cantelmo kicked off the event with a proclamation declaring May 11 “Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day in the City of Ithaca.” The proclamation called the providers “champions of wellness, defenders of privacy, and advocates for hope and a brighter future.”

Cantelmo expressed his personal gratitude for mental health providers, sharing his own journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression.

“It is incredibly important work. I wouldn’t be who I am as a father or as a husband or as a public servant if I didn’t have the care network that I have. I am very proud today to present this proclamation,” he said.

The mayor stressed the need to continue breaking down stigma around mental health and removing barriers to access care.

Mayor Robert Cantelmo and organizer Sandy True

New York State Assemblymember Anna Kelles praised Cantelmo’s openness about his own mental health, and hailed Better Together’s celebration. She began her remarks by asking audience members to share a hug, citing research that four 20-second hugs a day increased oxytocin levels and improved quality of health.

New York State Senator Lea Webb presented another proclamation declaring May Mental Health Awareness Month in District 52.

 “Together, let us embark on a journey of understanding, compassion, and advocacy to cultivate a community where every individual feels empowered to prioritize their mental well-being and seek the support they deserve,” she said.

Alan Rose and the Restless Elements

On May 8, the Tompkins County Legislature also proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in the county, and recognized “the vital role mental health workers play in providing mental health services, and the increased importance of this role amid a nationwide workforce shortage.”

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

At the fair, 45 mental health and wellness providers, nonprofit organizations, and companies staffed outreach tables with information on their services.

Throughout the day, music was provided by Alan Rose and the Restless Elements, Mandy Goldman, Penelope Voss, Joe Gibson and Dan Collins, Cantata Singers, Rose Alaimo and Stan Stewart.

GIAC Jumpers

Another highlight: free eats, provided by Babe’s Burger, Luna Inspired Street Food, Yxi’s Arepas & the Chef Gordito, Meg A Moo’s Ice Cream, Purity Ice Cream Co., and Via’s Cookies.

Better Together organizers, including more than 15 local organizations and dozens of artists, musicians, mental health practitioners, and volunteers, said that the vendors provided 750 free meals and 500 servings of ice cream as well as 1,000 free carousel rides for kids.

Cantata Singers

This year’s event was sponsored by Cayuga Health, CFCU Community Credit Union, Guthrie, True Insurance; partnered by Friends of Greg, The Sophie Fund, Northwestern Mutual, Sciarabba Walker & Co.; and supported by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Duthie Orthodontics, Health & Unity for Greg, Tompkins Community Bank, and McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore & Associates DDS. In-kind donations were provided by Wegmans, Gimme! Coffee and Ithaca Coffee Co.; along with personal donations from Carla and Steve Fontana, Gene Yarussi, and numerous others.

Stewart Park Carousel

Dan Collins & Joe Gibson

Free Hugs Ithaca and Be Kind Ithaca

Face painting at Better Together for Mental Health

Babe’s Burger

Yxi’s Arepas & the Chef Gordito

Luna Inspired Street Food

Via’s Cookies

Meg-A-Moo’s Ice Cream

Purity Ice Cream

Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition

Health and Unity for Greg

Mental Health Association in Tompkins County

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Central New York

Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service of Tompkins County

National Alliance on Mental Illness—Finger Lakes

Family Reading Partnership

Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca

Tompkins County Whole Health

Chalk the Walk

Mental Health Support and Crisis Services—Tompkins County

Agda Osborn Award for The Sophie Fund

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Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca presented The Sophie Fund with the Agda Osborn Award for community service at its annual celebration on May 8.

“This award recognizes an individual or organization that makes outstanding contributions to our community,” said Executive Director Alicia Kenaley. “The Sophie Fund’s dedication to enhancing mental health support for young people in Ithaca and Tompkins County is remarkable.”

Kenaley said that The Sophie Fund has supported an array of programs since its founding in 2016.

“It actively engages with the community of mental health care providers, educational institutions, nonprofits, and elected officials. We are especially appreciative of the financial support The Sophie Fund provides to mental health clinicians through grants for professional development and selfcare,” she added.

Co-Founder Scott MacLeod said The Sophie Fund was extremely honored to accept the award. He thanked Kenaley, the Family & Children’s team, and the many providers and champions attending the celebration for their tireless efforts to support the mental health of the community.

The award was created in 1983 to honor the late Agda Osborn, a long-serving and dedicated community volunteer with many area organizations, including Family & Children’s Service where she served as a board member.

Osborn, a 1920 graduate of Cornell University, helped establish several local organizations, among them The Hangar Theatre, Cornell Women’s Club, the City Federation of Women’s Organizations, and Historic Ithaca. She was a member of the city’s first planning board, as well as the Common Council, and the Southside Community Council.

Hooray for NAMI Finger Lakes!

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Nearly 200 mental health campaigners participated in a fundraising walk for the Finger Lakes chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at Ithaca’s Stewart Park on May 4, bringing in $34,534 for NAMI’s support and education programs.

People (and people’s best friends) walking for mental health at Stewart Park

The total far exceeded the organization’s $25,000 goal, but for NAMI-FL Executive Director Sandra Sorensen the event’s success could not be measured in numbers or dollars.

“After the hustle and bustle of setting up and getting things ready, the energy in the Stewart Park pavilion was electrifying,” she said. “It was this feeling that shouted success to me. I found myself surrounded by people engaged in conversation filled with laughter and smiles.” 

“In-person community and relationships play a huge part in keeping all of us mentally engaged and healthy—something we all need more of,” she added.

For Barry Segal and others, raising money for mental health is a walk in the park

That view was seconded by Barry Segal of Segal & Sorensen Construction, the event’s Gold sponsor, who ran into a new friend and neighbor while trekking along the path beside Cayuga Lake. “I gained a new perspective of the services that NAMI provides,” he said.

Participants, including members of 23 fundraising teams, had the option of walking a mile around the park or doing a 5K run. The event included face painting, free food, live music, yoga on the lawn, various giveaways, a scavenger hunt, and a memory wall. Local mental health nonprofits provided information tables. Be Kind Ithaca and Free Hugs Ithaca were on hand, well, to spread kindness and do a lot of hugging.

NAMI-FL recognized David Archer as the No. 1 fundraiser, with a $6,600 haul, and Buoyant Punk made its mark as the top fundraising team with $7,516.00.

Dave Archer and Sandra Sorensen

Scavenger Hunters

NAMI fundraiser Steve Gordon and NAMI volunteer Dale Taylor

NAMI Helps

Photo credits: Tyler Hanna

CLICK HERE to donate to NAMI-Finger Lakes

CLICK HERE to volunteer with NAMI-Finger Lakes

Thank You, Mental Health Providers!

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Sunday May 12 is National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day! The Sophie Fund joins the Tompkins County Suicide Prevention Coalition in saluting and celebrating our local mental health workforce.

“Thank You” poster @ East Seneca & North Tioga bus shelter

In a small token of appreciation, the coalition has placed “Thank You” posters at two bus shelters in Ithaca—at East Seneca Street & North Tioga Street, and at Cayuga Medical Center. The coalition has also placed public service announcement messages on two Ithaca radio stations throughout the month of May—Lite Rock 97.3 and Rewind 107.7.

“Appreciation” poster @ Cayuga Medical Center bus shelter

We show our appreciation for mental health providers who toil to help us address our mental health issues and enable us to lead happier and healthier lives.

At times, the clinicians, social workers, peer specialists, and others in the field sacrifice their own mental well-being in the service of our community’s health and wellness.

If you know a mental health provider, or are personally supported by one, consider reaching out to them on National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day (and other times, too!) to express your appreciation. Even better, bake them some cookies or cupcakes, or invite them to share a meal. Small acts of kindness go a long way!

Click here to download poster PDF

Click here to download a shareable social media graphic

Encore! Ithaca’s Fun Festival for Mental Health

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“Better Together for Mental Health,” a free community-wide celebration, is back for its second iteration this year on Saturday May 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ithaca’s Stewart Park.

Alan Rose and the Restless Elements

This event, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, is a fun day of activities for all ages. Attendees can enjoy live music, dance, wellness workshops, face-painting and carousel rides for kids, indulge in free street food and ice cream, and much more.

Stewart Park will be abuzz with community organizations, mental health providers, instructors, and entertainers, in a vibrant atmosphere for learning, laughter, and connection.

“The turn-out last year for our inaugural event was incredible, and we are so pleased to bring this event back again for our community,” said Jaydyn McCune, co-chair of the planning committee.

“This event highlights things we can all do on a daily basis to help keep ourselves and others mentally healthy. We encourage everyone to come out and join us to celebrate wellness. Let’s make mental health a collective priority, because we are truly ‘Better Together.’” 

The event kicks off at the Large Pavilion with a public proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month from City of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo. New York State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles will give opening remarks.

Cantata Singers

Alan Rose and the Restless Elements get the beats started with a musical tribute, “The Better Together Song.” Other featured performers include Mandy Goldman, Penelope Voss, Joe Gibson and Dan Collins, the Cantana Singers, Rose Alaimo and Stan Stewart, GIAC Jumpers, and Crossroads the Clown.

The Small Pavilion is the venue for wellness workshops on meditation, life-coaching, choral singing, conflict management, and life balance.

A special tent space in the park will host interactive activities, including story time for children, yoga, sound therapy, meditation, and a singing circle.

Luna Inspired Street Food, Yxi’s Arepas & the Chef Gordito, Meg A Moo’s Ice Cream, and Purity Ice Cream Co. will be providing free eats for attendees.

Dan Collins and Joe Gibson

Representatives from over 30 community organizations will spread out along the walking path of the park, to share information about their programs as well as provide wellness-based activities, such as arts and crafts and lawn games.

Better Together is organized by more than 15 local organizations and dozens of artists, musicians, mental health practitioners, and volunteers. 

This year’s event is sponsored by Cayuga Health, CFCU Community Credit Union, Guthrie, True Insurance; funded in partnership by Friends of Greg, The Sophie Fund, Northwestern Mutual, Sciarabba Walker & Co.; and supported by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, Duthie Orthodontics, Health & Unity for Greg, Tompkins Community Bank, and McCutcheon, Patel, Livermore & Associates DDS. In-kind donations are provided by Wegmans, Gimme! Coffee and Ithaca Coffee Co.; along with personal donations from Carla and Steve Fontana, Gene Yarussi, and numerous others.

Stan Stewart and Rose Alaimo

Mandy Goodman

Penelope Voss