September 21, 2016

NAMI Mercer Hosts Wellness Conference

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Keynote Address Speaker Kevin Hines

NAMI Mercer will commemorate Mental Illness Awareness Week with its eighth annual Harvest of Hope wellness conference on Saturday, October 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation, this education event is open to consumers, their families, and the general public. 

The theme this year is “Living with Purpose.” Kevin Hines will deliver the keynote address—“Cracked Not Broken.” Mr. Hines is a mental health advocate, award-winning global speaker, bestselling author and documentary filmmaker who tells audiences around the world about his unlikely survival after jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Today, Kevin’s mission is to save lives by spreading the message of hope and sharing his art of living mentally well.

Following the keynote address, conference participants will have a choice of wellness workshops, with one session in the morning and another during the afternoon. The $15 registration fee includes lunch. Although membership in NAMI Mercer is not required, there is an incentive price of $35 to join AND attend the conference.

Workshops will provide a variety of interactive and hands-on wellness experiences to help participants find ways to live with intention through creative endeavors, meditation, spirituality, volunteerism, and advocacy. Learn to be purposeful about seeking and managing your medical care, finding housing, and taking advantage of resources for education and employment.

Throughout the day, representatives from local health and wellness non-profits will be available to provide information about their programs and services. The conference will conclude with the premiere of “The Family Experience,” a short documentary film produced by NAMI Mercer in collaboration with Princeton Community TV.

Registration for the conference closes on Sept. 23. Register online at www.namimercer.org or print a paper form. For more information, call (609) 799-8994, ext. 10.

NAMI Mercer, based in Lawrenceville, is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through education, mutual support, and advocacy. It is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

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