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The premier performance of "The Key" will be held at Clark University in Worcester at 7pm on Tuesday, November 11 and is open to Clark students, faculty, staff and invited guests. The program will be introduced by Massachusetts State Senator Robert Antonioni. Clark University graduate student Danny Balel will perform.
"If we can raise even one person's awareness about what symptoms of depression look like; if we can get people to ask more questions; if we can get one person to say 'I'm concerned about my friend because this is the language and type of behaviors I am seeing,' then we will consider this program a success," continued Reilly.
"This program is a result of the creativity and collective knowledge of over one hundred people who are dedicated to helping youth with mental health issues," said Sydney Patten, the play's producer. "We chose to present the play in this manner, in a supportive environment with trained faculty and staff, to help show kids that they are not alone, that there is hope and resources are available to them. By putting a program in place and starting these conversations, I believe we will help a lot of people and give them the tools they need to help themselves and their peers."
Patten's first production, "The Yellow Dress," focused on teen dating violence and has been seen by more than one million high school and college students. Written by Deborah Lake Fortson, it has helped enumerable young people extricate themselves, often with help, from dangerous relationships. Since the success of "The Yellow Dress," Patten has focused on replicating its positive impact on youth in the treatment of depression and suicide.
Contact:
Keri Stedman
617-919-3110
keri.stedman@childrens.harvard.edu
The Swensrud Depression Prevention Initiative (SDPI) is part of Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnership Program, the community outreach branch of the hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. SDPI focuses on consultation and program development and follows a preventive, strength-based approach to mental health – one that promotes proactive rather than reactive efforts. Their goal is to provide strategies and supporting materials that allow schools and communities to develop a plan for integrating adolescent mental health issues into their overall educational and community programming.
Founded in 1869 as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is the nation's leading pediatric medical center, the largest provider of health care to Massachusetts children, and the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. In addition to 397 pediatric and adolescent inpatient beds and comprehensive outpatient programs, Children's houses the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries benefit both children and adults. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. For more information about the hospital visit: www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.
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