The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) is inviting local youth and adults to attend a free dinner workshop on Thursday, April 13 that will promote mental wellness.
DOH-Marion’s risk avoidance unit, BRAZEN, in partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Workgroup, will host the workshop from 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Conference Center, which is located at 3001 SW College Road in Ocala.
The featured speaker will be Kevin Hines, one of the few people to survive a plunge off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. In 2000, two years after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Hines jumped off the bridge in an attempt to take his own life.
Hines has shared his experience as a survivor to bring greater awareness to suicide prevention, mental wellness, and mental health treatment. He promotes his motto, “#BeHereTomorrow and every day after that,” through in-person talks, books, and videos.
In addition to Hines’ presentation, attendees will participate in workshops for youth and adults. The adult sessions will cover the risks of domestic violence and substance abuse to young people. During the youth sessions, speakers will discuss internet safety, teen dating, and dating violence.
The dinner workshop is open to youth ages 10 and older. Pre-registration is recommended but not required.
For more information, or to RSVP for the event, contact Valerie Mitchell at 352-438-5990.