Western State Hospital is hosting an education event Saturday, Nov. 4 for anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and behavioral health services.
Open to the public, this event provides friends and family members of hospital patients as well as community members, a better understanding of mental illness and how a supportive family and community can help someone with a mental illness recover.
“Family and friends play a vital role in a patient’s journey to recovery,” said Dr. Marylouise Jones, interim chief executive officer at Western State Hospital. “The Community Conversations program helps patients’ loved ones understand and better navigate the challenges that surround mental illness, leaving them with valuable tools to support WSH patients on the road back to their home communities.”
The event takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the hospital, located at 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. SW in Lakewood, in the facility’s Organizational Development Department in Building 10, off Sentinel Drive.
Check-in starts at 10:30 a.m. with an opportunity to meet with community resource providers. Sessions begin at 11 a.m. and there will be a lunch provided to attendees. Online registration is available.
Department leaders and WSH staff will lead discussions about the hospital and local community resource providers will present resources including chapters of National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), who will also share more about their advocacy on behalf of people with mental illness.
Scott Mannering, chair of the hospital’s Patient and Family Education Services program, says participants will learn techniques to foster hope and recovery; help reduce family stress; improve communication with patients who are family members and friends; and strengthen those relationships.
Western State Hospital Patient and Family Education Services sponsors and organizes Community Conversations events. For the last 37 years, the program has supported friends and family members of WSH patients. For more information on the program or event, please contact Scott Mannering at 253-756-2767 or MANNESC@dshs.wa.gov.
– DSHS
