Safe Harbor Coronado Shines A Light On Mental Health and Wellness

April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes. And though flowers are beautiful and fragrant, May was a special month with a special focus that is more than just stopping to smell the roses. The month of May is dedicated to mental health and wellness. Safe Harbor Coronado, a local nonprofit organization with a mission to bring skills, supports and resources surrounding mental health and wellness in our own community used May as a month to brightly shine a light on this topic, and as a catalyst to galvanize support, resources and understanding for this mission throughout the year.

Mental health and wellness is a cornerstone of a healthy community. In a close-knit community like Coronado, we are fortunate to build strong relationships, share events, and motivate each other to take care of our minds and bodies. This year, Safe Harbor Coronado in collaboration with Sharp Coronado Hospital and other community partners hosted an inaugural May Mental Wellness Fair on May 1st at Christ

Church Day School. The event, attended by well over 300 guests hosted an array of informational booths, a kid’s section full of wellness activities such as friendship bracelet making and mandala coloring, and breakout sessions where guests could try yoga, reiki, or listen to special guest speakers on a range of mental health topics. Plus, the Coronado Knitting Club showcased and shared their talent, there was bingo, and Coronado Cheer and Coronado School of Dance performed for those in attendance. This event was a shining example of a community coming together to focus on mind and body, and a fantastic gathering of community and connection.

Later in the month, Safe Harbor and Coronado Middle School continued to shine the light on mental health and wellness with a special Wellness Wednesday event at CMS. Students were encouraged to play games together to foster connections and encourage peer support. Other activities included yoga and a fun photo session with CMS counselor Rebecca Rabe’s therapy dogs. Fidgets and sensory stickers were a takeaway for students to use throughout the year as a soothing tool when feelings or stress get too big. Over 150 middle school students participated in Wellness Wednesday, fostering community, friendships, and learning coping skills.

Finally, Safe Harbor Coronado hosted a special fundraiser in May. This event, themed “Shine the Light” was graciously hosted in the beautiful backyard of the Baby Del. Guests were treated to special fare from Buona Forchetta, music by Trisha Lynn and high school keynote speaker, Sophia Leyva, who spoke about mental health and wellness challenges faced by youth today. She eloquently described the importance of having a robust set of skills, supports and resources to help stay mentally fit as a teenager, and highlighted how Safe Harbor Coronado programs encourage and educate kids with strategies and tools to cultivate a healthy mind and body as they grow. The event, which raised nearly $100,000, helps fund youth, parenting, and community programs unique and relevant to Coronado and the needs of our community and helps shine a wide light on mental health and wellness not only in May, but throughout the year.

Safe Harbor Coronado provides low-cost counseling, youth and parenting programs, and community education. To donate or learn more go to SafeHarborCoronado.org, sign up for the parenting e-newsletter, and follow us on social media @SafeHarborCoronado to make sure you never miss a Safe Harbor Event!

Warmly,

Danielle Maske

Executive Director, Safe Harbor Coronado danielle.maske@safeharborcoronado.org 619-522-6884 Ext 1# • 516-697-4055 mobile *formerly Coronado SAFE