Community Conversation Sign-Up – Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC)

Navigating COVID – What’s Your New Normal?

El Concilio, 930 Lake Street, Kalamazoo
June 28, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

SWMJC reporters will be there to listen, learn and connect. Members will be reporting on the event itself, but will not use names or photos to maintain the confidentiality of participants.

Spanish-speaking interpreters and facilitators will be at the event.

5:30 p.m. Doors open, light dinner
6:00 p.m. Event begins promptly

Hosted With

SWMJC is considering partnering with one or more organizations to host a community conversation around effective approaches to mental wellness during the extended pandemic.

The purpose is to engage with the community to identify solutions to mental health challenges by conversing with other community members and mental health professionals. This conversation will also help to inform our coverage of mental health issues to make sure we are addressing issues that are relevant to community members and readers.

Features

Light dinner/refreshments
Onsite childcare
Facilitators from mental health entities that represent nonprofit, private and government sectors (hopefully two bilingual small group facilitators)
Free event but will require RSVP (so we can arrange for food and childcare); cap at 90
18 and up
Organizations that provide facilitators may also have an information table and an extra staff person if needed

Format

Welcome and refreshments

Overview of evening’s purpose
Breakout Groups (6-7 people per group with one facilitator or two co-facilitators per group)
Recap

Logistics

Location: El Concilio, 930 Lake Street, Suite 1, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Date: Tuesday, June 28
Time:
- 4:30, Set-up
- 5:30, Doors open, light dinner
- 6:00-6:15, Welcome & Introductions
- 6:15-7:15, Small Group Discussion
- 7:15-7:30, Regroup and Resource Sharing

We would like to bring together:

adults who are still struggling with feelings of isolation, depression or social anxiety caused from the extended pandemic
adults who did struggle with these feelings, but have found ways to cope and have achieved a good state of mental health
mental health professionals to answer questions, offer guidance and possibly moderate the conversation and connections
(possibly) adult peer mentors to help facilitate small group discussions

The idea is to facilitate a community conversation, where people share effective ways to cope with stressors and fears to help others find their “new normal” in a changed world.

We hope this will be a forum to voice challenges and uplift solutions to mental health issues brought on by COVID-19, such as feelings of fear, anxiety, depression and stress caused by long periods of isolation and operating in an altered environment.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Do you need ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation?

Yes No

If so, please provide name and ages of children.

Spanish translation needed?

Yes No

Dietary restrictions:

None Vegetarian Gluten Free

Do you feel like you’ve found a new normal in navigating COVID-19?

Yes No