Compass Health ‘Building Communities of Hope’ Annual Gala to Feature Renowned Suicide Prevention Advocate Kevin Hines as Keynote Speaker

Second-Annual Gala to Support Compass Health’s Youth Mental Health Programs Set for September 14, 2018, at Tulalip Resort Casino

EVERETT, Wash.--()--Compass Health is honored to announce that renowned suicide prevention and mental health advocate, Kevin Hines, will be the keynote speaker for its second-annual ‘Building Communities of Hope Gala’, held on September 14, 2018, at the Tulalip Resort Casino. All proceeds raised at the event will directly support Compass Health’s specialized programs for children who face family and personal behavioral health and substance abuse challenges.

“Youth mental health is one of the most critical issues of our day, and we are excited to have an internationally recognized advocate sharing his amazing story of perseverance through living with severe mental health issues, to support our vital programs,” said Tom Sebastian, the president and chief executive officer for Compass Health. “Kevin has a rare ability to instill hope and understanding of how we all can help prevent suicides, reduce stigma, and expand access to care.”

At 19, Hines attempted suicide by jumping from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, placing him among just 1 percent to survive such a tragedy. Since then, Hines has become an award-winning global speaker, bestselling author and documentary filmmaker who shares his personal story of an unlikely survival and strong will to live. He dedicates his life to spreading the message of hope and is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience and suicide prevention.

Many know Hines from his newly released documentary, Suicide: The Ripple Effect, and his viral video discussing his personal experience and suicide prevention with more than 250 million combined views on Facebook, YouTube and BuzzFeed. Learn more on his website.

“I greatly admire the dedication that Compass Health has for supporting and improving the lives of children facing behavioral health challenges, and I’m honored to be their keynote speaker,” Hines said. “The two youth camps that this gala directly supports are imperative in assisting kids who may have nowhere else to turn. I know because I was one of those kids, and these types of programs save lives.”

The charity event, presented by Coast Real Estate Services and The Martyn Family Foundation, will bring together hundreds of community members to benefit Compass Health’s two children’s camp programs – Camp Outside the Box and Camp Mariposa.

The transformational programs, led by mental health professionals and counselors from Compass Health, support children who face significant personal behavioral health challenges and family chemical dependency issues. One camp offers access to therapeutic and recreational activities, positive social interactions and job training skills, while the other focuses on providing tools and support for family substance abuse and addiction recovery.

Compass Health administers both children’s camps through its Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) program. The WISe program provides comprehensive behavioral health services and support to children with complex behavioral health needs, as well as their families.

Camp Outside the Box is a therapeutic summer program available to 120 youth from the WISe Program. The activities assist campers in relationship-building, learning communications skills and building pro-social behaviors and self-esteem.

Camp Mariposa – held in partnership with the Moyer Foundation – is a free addiction prevention and mentoring program serving youth who are impacted by substance abuse in their families. Camp Mariposa organizers hold multiple weekend camps per year, offering traditional camp activities combined with educational exercises led by trained mentors.

“The Building Communities of Hope Gala is instrumental to ensuring that more than 200 kids can participate in these specialized programs each year,” said Tom Kozaczynski, the chief development and communications officer for Compass Health. “We are very thankful for the incredible amount of support we have already received from sponsors and community members, and we look forward to welcoming everyone in the community to join us.”

People who would like more information or to attend the gala can learn more on Compass Health’s website at: www.compasshealth.org/bcoh

About Compass Health:

Compass Health is Northwest Washington’s behavioral healthcare leader. The organization integrates behavioral health and medical care services to support clients and communities when and where they are needed. Building on a century of experience, Compass Health is forging new, nationally recognized models of care that bring together highly skilled mental health professionals, primary care providers, peer counselors and others to treat the whole person. From comprehensive mental health treatment to crisis intervention, children’s services and community education, Compass Health serves people of all ages throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties.

Learn more: www.compasshealth.org

Contacts

for Compass Health
Annie Alley, 206-466-2713
annie@firmani.com

Contacts

for Compass Health
Annie Alley, 206-466-2713
annie@firmani.com