Chattanooga’s Volunteer Behavioral Health and the Aim Center have come together for an afternoon of open and honest conversations about mental health and addiction.
This Saturday at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Hamilton Place, learn why one in five adults in the U.S. will experience some kind of mental illness in their lifetime. Learn how art therapy can be used as a complement to traditional mental health treatment. And hear Chattanooga Author Dana Lise Shavin read from her book, The Body Tourist, about her courageous struggle living with anorexia, a life-threatening eating disorder.
The event gets underway at 2 p.m.
and is free. Barnes and Noble personnel will be there to help people find books about mental illness, addiction and suicide prevention.
"People are now talking openly about their struggles and overcoming the stigma of mental illness," organizers said. "This hour-long program will be a great way to start that conversation. Talking about mental illness can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.
"A big thank you to Barnes and Noble for allowing this event to take place and for giving people who are hurting a chance to get help or just talk to someone who will listen.
"Once again, the program is free and open to everyone."
Barnes and Noble is located near the entrance to the Hamilton Place Mall Food Court. The store can be accessed directly from the parking lot. For more information, contact Jed Mescon with Volunteer Behavioral Health at 423-463-6436 or 423-315-3067.