DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — BROOKLYN MENTAL HEALTH Court, a specialized part of the Kings County criminal court system that handles cases involving defendants with serious mental illness, will engage in Mental Health Awareness Month with a presentation on May 13.
The event will be taking place at Kings County Supreme Court, 320 Jay St., and feature remarks from Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge for criminal matters in Kings County Supreme Court, and Erin McDermott, project director at Brooklyn Mental Health Court.
Interactive activities will include a discussion where guests answer questions aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. There will also be various stations to explore, including “Connection and Awareness,” “Mindfulness and Grounding,” and “Sensory and Regulation.”
“Mental health awareness month gives the mental health court and the court system as a whole an opportunity to recognize the profound impact mental illness has on individuals and families and to affirm our commitment to promote greater understanding, reduce stigma and advance dignity,” D’Emic, co-chair of the New York State Judicial Task Force on Mental Illness, told the Brooklyn Eagle.
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every year in the United States in May, is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions and encouraging access to care and support. Mental Health Awareness Month began in 1949, established by the organization now known as Mental Health America.
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