Let’s Talk: No Letting Go

Panelists:

Randi Silverman is the Founder and former Executive Director of The Youth Mental Health Project, a nonprofit organization which educates, empowers, and supports families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of youth. Randi’s personal mission to change the narrative around youth mental health, improve access to resources, and help other families came from over a decade of personal experience fighting to find help for her son, who was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and early onset bipolar disorder as a young child. She created  The Youth Mental Health Project to increase mental health literacy, support families, promote early intervention and prevention, and  improve the mental health of children, teens, and young adults.  Randi is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Bipolar Foundation, Fusion Academy Scholarship Foundation, and the Rosenthal JCC of Westchester. Randi has received multiple awards for her advocacy work, including the 2016 NAMI New York State Media Award, The Laurel House 2017 Champion for Recovery Award, and The 2017 Mogen Schou Public Awareness and Advocacy Award from the International Society of Bipolar Disorders. She has also won multiple awards for her work as screenwriter and producer of the film, NO LETTING GO.

Jay Crosby is an educator with more than 25 years of experience in Independent School education. Jay is in his ninth year as a history teacher, coach, and dean of the seventh grade at Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT. Jay serves on the boards of Leadership Exchange, a non-profit focused on the development of youth through service and international exchange, and Bana Ba Letsatsi, a non-profit which serves the basic needs of at-risk youth in Maun, Botswana. Jay enjoys working closely with community-based organizations throughout the world, hoping to identify partner programs and organizations that might benefit from the support of dialogue, service, and exchange. Jay received his Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, his Masters of Education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California. Jay’s mental health journey began early. A frequent visitor to the principal’s office, Jay struggled with anxiety and ADHD – few knew how to help him or his parents. As an adult, Jay’s children were diagnosed with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and autism, but the support networks were still limited. The difficulties Jay faced as a kid and as a parent, led to his dissertation on the need for mental health in schools and, ultimately, to his serving as a facilitator with the Parent Support Network and role as a board member at the Youth Mental Health Project.

After graduating Cum Laude from Dartmouth College, Chris Parrott studied in London earning her MSc and Post MSc degree to become a BPS Chartered Counseling Psychologist. Back in the United States, Parrott co-founded Your Self Series, a teen identity development program, and YourChatMat, tools to engage families in meaningful conversation. She co-authored Reach Before You Teach: Ignite passion and purpose in your classroom (Corwin Press, 2013) and is currently co-authoring a parenting book (title release coming soon!)which supports parents in their individual journeys to parent well in challenging times. Today Parrott practices as a Board Certified Life Coach working with emerging adults and with parents of pre-teens. She also presents at various national and local conferences, schools and community forums on topics related to building a strong sense of self. Chris is also captain of the Foxes Women’s Soccer team, a mother of two and wife of thirty years.

Elizabeth Kemler (moderator) is an author, mental health advocate, curriculum designer, and musician. For the past 23 years, she’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, colleges, high-schools, and non-profit organizations, creating and teaching courses that promote social emotional learning, presentation-skills, career readiness, and mental wellness. She has produced numerous benefit concerts and charity events as well as public radio programs in support of social and environmental causes. She is also a long-time battler of depression and anxiety. Her mission–both personal and professional–is to eradicate the shame and stigma around mental illness, while inspiring sufferers to action with relevant, real-world tools and techniques. You can learn more about Elizabeth, access her blog, free tools & resources, and courses, on her mental wellness platform, Mindfulness for a Messy Life and read about her acclaimed life skills and social-emotional program ThinkBuildLive Success series, which has been used by thousands of students and educators around the country.