Hundreds of attendees filled the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach on Wednesday for a mental wellness symposium hosted by SMA Healthcare Foundation and Who Is Jay, an organization founded by the Ashby family in memory of their son, Jay, who died by suicide.The event, now in its 11th year, featured breakout sessions focused on mental wellness and resources available in the community. “Whether or not somebody seeks help through us — whether they seek help through a peer recovery organization, their church, wherever it may be that they go to get that initial help — there’s no wrong door. So to have all of these resources coming together, that means we’re able to work with each other,” said Nicole Sharbono, COO of SMA Healthcare. Susan Ashby, representing Who Is Jay, shared her appreciation for those dedicated to helping others. “We are just so grateful for all of those people here and out in the marketplace that make their living on helping others and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to do something so meaningful with your life and your position in this world,” Ashby said. Also at the event was Desi’rae Stage, a mom and photographer who shares the stories of suicide survivors. Stage said she has photographed nearly 200 individuals to remind everyone that “everyone has a story, and no one walks alone.”>> Video below: Volusia County organization offers free support for veterans, first responders
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —
Hundreds of attendees filled the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach on Wednesday for a mental wellness symposium hosted by SMA Healthcare Foundation and Who Is Jay, an organization founded by the Ashby family in memory of their son, Jay, who died by suicide.
The event, now in its 11th year, featured breakout sessions focused on mental wellness and resources available in the community.
“Whether or not somebody seeks help through us — whether they seek help through a peer recovery organization, their church, wherever it may be that they go to get that initial help — there’s no wrong door. So to have all of these resources coming together, that means we’re able to work with each other,” said Nicole Sharbono, COO of SMA Healthcare.
Susan Ashby, representing Who Is Jay, shared her appreciation for those dedicated to helping others.
“We are just so grateful for all of those people here and out in the marketplace that make their living on helping others and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to do something so meaningful with your life and your position in this world,” Ashby said.
Also at the event was Desi’rae Stage, a mom and photographer who shares the stories of suicide survivors. Stage said she has photographed nearly 200 individuals to remind everyone that “everyone has a story, and no one walks alone.”
>> Video below: Volusia County organization offers free support for veterans, first responders