Beaumont and Easter Seals: Sponsoring mental health awareness fair May 18 at Beaumont, Royal Oak

Friday, May 13, 2016

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a designation created to start conversations about mental health. To help raise awareness, Beaumont Health and the Easter Seals Michigan have teamed-up to host a community mental health fair on Wednesday, May 18, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The fair will take place in the South Tower lobby at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, 3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road.

The “2016 Mental Health Fair” is open to area residents. There is no admission fee and complimentary parking is available in the South Tower parking structure.

"Our third annual mental health fair continues to break the stigma that prevents people from seeking help when they need it,” said Ron Samarian, M.D., chief of Psychiatry at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. “Through public education, we reinforce the fact that illness can manifest in our brains just as it does in the rest of our body. One in four of us will experience a treatable mental illness in our lifetime."

The event includes a personal testimonial by Eric Hipple, former NFL Quarterback for the Detroit Lions, which is being made possible by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Southeast Michigan Chapter. In addition, Easter Seals Michigan will present information on substance use prevention and treatment.

Hipple's story includes his journey as a young person with undiagnosed depression, stresses of adult life; transitioning out of football, alcohol use, and the loss of his own son, Jeff, to suicide at age 15. While there is no fee to attend his 10:30 a.m. presentation, registration is required by calling Julie Marion at 248-551-9448 or emailing Julie.Marion@beaumont.org.

Following his presentation, Hipple will sign his book, “Real Men Do Cry,” at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention table from noon until 2 p.m.

Residents will have an opportunity to connect with a variety of leading organizations in the mental health and wellness field. Information will be available on many topics, including: autism, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, skill-building for developmentally disabled, early intervention for children with trauma, substance use, bullying prevention, suicide prevention and domestic violence.

The event was conceived in 2014 by nurses and doctors at Beaumont Health's Psychiatric Department in Royal Oak to help inform, educate and connect people with resources.