Celebrate Children’s Mental Health this May! The Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
encourages you to connect with parents, children, and families from our statewide community during
the month of May. Let’s join together in celebration of Children’s Mental Health Awareness!
Below, find a listing of events, including: entertainment, relaxation, education and support.
Friday, May 1st
Q & A With Heather Hogan, Education Resource Coordinator; 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM; Join
Heather Hogan, Education Resource Coordinator, for a Q & A on school-related issues. All PIN parents
who attend will receive an IEP Toolkit. A light continental breakfast will be served. RSVP is required,
contact [email protected] or call 508-947-8779 ext 210.
Saturday, May 2nd
Healthy Kids Day; 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM; The Lynn YMCA is hosting Healthy Kids Day during which we
will kick off May: mental health month. Lynn Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy will be at the event to sign
the children's mental health week proclamation. The event is free and open to the public and the Lynn
YMCA is located at 20 Neptune Blvd. in Lynn
4th Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health; 8:30 AM-5:00 PM; Join keynote speaker:
Dr. Charlene Désir at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Newton,
MA. Following the conference, there will be a Celebration of Haitian Art and Culture in observance of
Haitian Heritage Month. To learn more, visit www.HMHnetwork.org. To register for the conference, go
to www.mspp.edu/ce.
TEAMA (Teens Education About Mental Health Awareness); 11:00 AM -12:00 PM; TEAMA
will offer a FREE public presentation on youth and mental health. Everyone who attends will receive a
green ribbon to show their support! There will be resources and Youth MOVE Massachusetts members
available to answer all your questions about our programming and what we do! Held at the Worcester
Public Library, 3 Salem Square in Worcester. Banx Room. For more info email [email protected].
PPAL and Transition Group Outing; Laser Craze outing beginning at 6:30 PM at 1580 Osgood St.
North Andover, MA. Contact Nancy Collier for further questions: (978) 935-5811.
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Sunday, May 3rd Children’s Mental Health Week Begins
Monday, May 4th
PPAL’S Monday Morning Parent Strong Club; 9:30 AM-11:00 AM; Private personal training for
caregivers raising children with special needs at the Beverly Athletic Club on Reservoir Road in Beverly,
MA. Registration required. For registering please contact Krissie Burnham: [email protected], 978290-1952.
Transitions Group; 6:00 PM; Contact Nancy Collier for further questions: (978) 935-5811.
Tuesday, May 5th
Annual Children’s Mental Health Week Dinner; With guest speaker Jeanine Fitzgerald at the
Summit View Banquet House in Holyoke, MA. Please RSVP to Carol Venancio by April 28th. Email:
[email protected]. Phone: 413-536-2401 x3007
Suicide Prevention Workshop; 6:30-8:30 PM; Presented by Kelley Cunningham, the Assistant
Director of the MA Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program at 78 Water Street in
Wakefield, MA. Please contact Martha Cregan. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 978-766-2600.
HOPE Youth Group Visits City Council; 5:30 PM–7:30 PM; For the Proclamation of Children's
Mental Health Awareness Week! Meet us at our Youth Room, 51 Union St Suite 306, at 5:30 for pizza
dinner kick off to Children's Mental Health Month! At 6:30 PM we will carpool over to Worcester City Hall
to attend the City Council Meeting. For more info email Lydia [email protected].
Bellingham Parent Support Group; 5:30 PM-7:00 PM; Bellingham Public Library- Children’s
Program Room 100 Blackstone Street Bellingham. RSVP by Email: [email protected].
Wednesday, May 6th
CBHI Knowledge Center Launch; 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Held at the Worcester Recovery Center
and Hospital Conference Center: 309 Belmont St. Worcester MA.
Substance Use & The Teenage Brain: From Use to Abuse to Addiction; 7:00 PM – 9:00
PM; Presented by Mitch Finnegan, M.Ed. Mitch is the Director of Wellness Education for the Weston
Public Schools, and has been a teacher, coach and substance abuse service provider for over 30 years.
This interactive workshop will explain the impact of substance use on the teenage brain, and its
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implications for the social, emotional, and mental health of our children. It will be held at Wayside Youth
& Family Support Network: 88 Lincoln St., Framingham MA. Please RSVP to Ann Killion at 508-620-0010
x194 or [email protected]
TAY Parent Support Group; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM; A Group for Empowering Families through Transition
Planning, Sync Communication Center 1 Beverly Drive, Sterling MA, 01568. For further information, visit
www.ppal.net or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
Thursday, May 7th
“Children’s Mental Health Day!” National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day seeks to raise
awareness about the importance of children's mental health and that positive mental health is essential
to a child's healthy development from birth.
MSPP Annual Gala; Beginning at 6:00 PM at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. For more information:
www.mspp.edu/gala or email: [email protected].
A Conversation With Rich Breault; 10:00 AM-12:00 PM; Rich Breault is the DMH Central MA area
Director Child and Adolescent Services. YOU Inc. and PPAL will be hosting at YOU Inc. Family Center, 205
School Street Ste 205, Gardner, MA 01440 RSVP by May 5th: Andrea Froelich: 508-767-9725 or
[email protected].
DYS-Crisis Planning; 10:00 AM-11:00 AM; Crisis Planning: Preparing for a Mental Health Crisis
Training at LMCC-Families and Youth Initiative at 112A East Haverhill St, Lawrence. RSVP by May 5th:
Andrea Froelich: 508-767-9725 or [email protected].
Through the Looking Glass Art Show; 5:00pm-9:00pm; A free, local art showcase to fight stigma
and raise awareness of mental health and young people's personal stories. There will also be a bake sale
and info table available. UU Church of Worcester, 90 Holden St, Worcester MA 01606. Email Britt
[email protected] for more info!
TAY Parent Support Group; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM; A Group for Empowering Families through Transition
Planning, Parent/Professional Advocacy League 51 Union Street, Suite 308, Worcester. For further
information, visit www.ppal.net or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]
Children’s Mental Health Day Appreciation Ceremony; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM; PIN support
groups will be holding an “Appreciation Ceremony” where parents will recognize their children’s
successes and strengths. Events will take place at area support group locations. Contact your Parent
Coordinator for more details.
Friday, May 8th
Caregiver Support Group; 6:00 PM -8:30 PM; Held at the Salem YMCA, 1 Sewall Street, Salem, MA.
Organic meal provided. Registration Required. For registering please contact Krissie Burnham
at [email protected], 978-290-1952.
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TEAMA Speakers' Bureau presents at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in
Newton, MA. Contact PPAL at 508-767-9725 for more information.
Saturday, May 9th
Father’s Support Group; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM; A monthly support group exclusively for fathers and
other male caregivers. Chris Bean, Group Facilitator, can be reached at [email protected].
Monday, May 11th
PPAL’S Monday Morning Parent Strong Club; 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Private personal training at
the Beverly Athletic Club, Reservoir Road in Beverly, MA. For caregivers raising children with special
needs. Registration required. For registering please contact Krissie Burnham
at [email protected], 978-290-1952.
Tuesday, May 12th
Minute To Win It at the HOPE youth group; 5:00pm-6:30pm; Join us for dinner and Minute to
Win It challenges! Can you unpack and stack those cups in 60 seconds? How about win a potato-andspoon race? Join us and find out!!! Open to youth ages 13-19. Free. 51 Union St Suite 306, Worcester MA
01608 For more info email Lydia [email protected]
PPAL Group; 6:00 PM with Lynn Powers speaking about special education law and mental health.
Contact Nancy Collier for further questions: (978) 935-5811.
Wednesday, May 13th
Pediatric Psychiatric Medications; 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM; DMH is hosting Michael C. Angelini,
PharmD, BCPP, for a discussion on pediatric psychiatric medications. Light refreshments will be served.
This event is taking place at Taunton State Hospital - Gifford Building, 60 Hodges Avenue, Taunton.
Thursday, May 14th
PIN Mother’s Day Breakfast; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM; PIN is hosting its 6th annual Mother’s Day
Breakfast, a leisurely breakfast for mothers with the PIN staff. Due to limited space, this event will be
invitation only. Contact your Parent Coordinator for more details.
What To Do When Your Child/Youth Is In Mental Health Crisis? 7:00 PM-9:00 PM; Come
to a panel discussion with:
Brian Lightsey, LICSW – MCI – Mobile Crisis Intervention from Wayside
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Danielle Larsen, M. Ed. – Jail Diversion Program Framingham Police Department
Colleen Clinkscale, LMHC, CJCC – Court Clinician from Framingham Juvenile Court
This event will be held at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network on 88 Lincoln Street Framingham,
MA. Please RSVP to Ann Killion at 508-620-0010 x194 or [email protected]
Worcester Parent/Caregiver Support Group; 5:30 PM-7:30 PM; A time of Sharing and Support,
Located at PPAL, 51 Union Street, Suite 308, Worcester. For more information call PPAL: 508-767-9725.
Sunday, May 17th
LUK’s Day In The Park; 10:00 AM-2:00 PM; A collaborative event celebrating foster parents, raising
awareness for mental health, and raising money for the "Corduroy King" Scholarship! Lake Quinsigamond
Park 248 Lake Ave. Worcester, MA. For more information, go to www.LUK.org and click on the Day in the
Park banner.
Youth MOVE Massachusetts & Next Generations Concerts at the Hard Rock Café; 12:00
PM-4:00 PM; Join Youth MOVE Massachusetts and youth from across the state at Hard Rock Cafe for
food, music, and information on mental health and wellness! Wear GREEN to show your support for our
performers. Half of the ticket sales will benefit Youth MOVE Massachusetts - so bring your friends!
$10/person, youth under 14 FREE. Hard Rock Cafe 22-24 Clinton St, Boston, MA 02109. More info at
http://nextgenconcerts.com/ or email Chandra [email protected]
Monday, May 18th
PPAL’S Monday Morning Parent Strong Club; 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM; Private personal training at
the Beverly Athletic Club, Reservoir Road in Beverly, MA. For caregivers raising children with special
needs. Registration required. For registering please contact Krissie Burnham
at [email protected], 978-290-1952.
Transitions Group; 6:00 PM; Contact Nancy Collier for further questions: (978) 935-5811.
Tuesday, May 19th
Wear GREEN to the Park; 5:00 PM-6:30 PM; Meet the HOPE Youth Group at Green Hill Park in
Worcester, MA for an outdoor picnic, games, and ice cream sundaes! Ages 13-19. Free. For more info
email Lydia [email protected].
All About PPAL/ PPAL 101/ Get to Know PPAL; 5:30 PM-7:00 PM; Bellingham Parent Support
Group, Bellingham Public Library- Children’s Program Room 100 Blackstone Street Bellingham. RSVP by
Email: [email protected].
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Wednesday, May 20th
TAY Parent Support Group; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM; A Group for Empowering Families through Transition
Planning, Sync Communication Center 1 Beverly Drive, Sterling MA, 01568 For further information, visit
www.ppal.net or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].
Thursday, May 21st
Express Yourself Trip; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Wang Theater Boston. Bus ride & meal provided.
Registration required.
YAYA - Young Adults & Youth Advocacy; 5:00 PM-6:30 PM; Join YAYA for dinner, games, and
conversation! Ages 17+. Free. For more info email Britt [email protected].
TAY Parent Support Group; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM; A Group for Empowering Families through Transition
Planning, Parent/Professional Advocacy League 51 Union Street, Suite 308, Worcester. For further
information, visit www.ppal.net or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]
Friday, May 22nd
Youth & Young Adult OPEN MIC for Mental Health Awareness; 7:00 PM-9:00 PM; Join Youth
MOVE Massachusetts members and supporters at Nu Cafe for an evening of poetry, music and
storytelling! Help bust the stigma around mental health, share your story, and listen to others. Event is
free, food and drink available for purchase. All ages, families and supporters welcome! Nu Cafe 335
Chandler St, Worcester. For more info contact Chandra [email protected].
Tuesday, May 26th
Listen Up! Youth Have Something to Say (Tie Dye T Shirt Night); 5:00 PM-6:30 PM; Join the
HOPE youth group and take stand against stigma! We will make t-shirts with a positive message about
mental health. You can write your own message! You'll have a chance to tie dye them, too, with different
greens for mental health or all kinds of colors! Ages 13-19. $2 per person, seats limited, RSVP needed. 51
Union St Suite 306, Worcester MA 01608. To RSVP, request help with the cost, or for more info contact
Lydia [email protected].
PPAL Group; 6:00 PM; Contact Nancy Collier for further questions: (978) 935-5811.
Wednesday, May 27th
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Caregiver Support Group; 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM; At the North Shore Educational Consortium,
Sohier Road Beverly, MA. Walk-ins welcome.
Thursday, May 28th
Worcester Parent/Caregiver Support Group; 5:30 PM-7:30 PM; Guest Speaker: TBD, Located at
PPAL, 51 Union Street, Suite 308, Worcester. For more information call PPAL: 508-767-9725.
PTAY Q & A WITH DR. MIRIAM ORNSTEIN; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM; PTAY Parent Support Group will
be hosting Dr. Miriam Ornstein for a Q & A. For more information, contact Tresa Salters, PTAY Parent
Coordinator, [email protected] or 508-947-8779 ext 222.
Friday, May 29th
PPAL’s 5th Annual Conference & Celebration; 8:30 AM-3:30 PM; With a Youth Track by Youth
MOVE Massachusetts; Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlboro, MA. Make sure to register at www.ppal.net!
Saturday, May 30th
PPAL Family Outing to Middleton Golf Country; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Rte. 114 Middleton, MA.
Registration Required. Rain date June 6. For registering please contact Krissie Burnham
at [email protected], 978-290-1952.
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