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A happening day for speaking up and out!

Friday started out with a message from Connie. “Are you interested in seeing Glenn Close at the Richmond Forum?” I’m thinking, whatever I have, it’s cancelled! Yes, I am interested! A friend of hers has tickets she can’t use.

Connie says Kristi is expecting my call. Kristi gives her tickets to me and my husband. So thoughtful and I’m so grateful. I run around all day jumping up and down like a 10-year old.

Glenn Close started Bring Change 2 Mind, a nonprofit about breaking the silence and stigma of mental health. It was like I won the lottery!

I pick up the tickets Friday night.

When I drive home, I buy tickets to the Virginia Recovery Foundation (VRF) fundraiser for Saturday since it’s 4-6pm. Beacon Tree, the organization for which I am President, VRF and VCU Institute of Drug and Alcohol Studies are partnering in a pilot to bring Preventure to Virginia. They are all excited about bringing the fall 2018 pilot.

When I get home, I get a text reminding me that we are doing the Women’s March in Carytown. So we went! Charles loved a march or protest. He’d have gone with us and joined the other men who were supporting women.

Later that day, we go to the VRF fundraiser. Great turnout and a lot of familiar faces. My weak voice (from the brain radiation) drives me crazy.

Bill Maher and Tom Bannard

My friend Jenny Derr tells the story of her son Billy, who died of an accidental overdose in 2016 after being clean for 14 months. Definitely a hush over the room. I know the loss she feels.

After that, my husband and I go to the Richmond Forum, my first Forum event, to see Glenn Close.

All in all, a full day. And a good day.

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Published by

Anne Moss Rogers

I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.

2 thoughts on “A happening day for speaking up and out!”

  1. Anne, what an awesome day! Wish I were there. I adore Glenn Close. Besides being a Mental Health advocate , she also fosters abandoned dogs till they get adopted!

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