Explore the signs, skills, and resources that can help you make a real difference in someone’s mental health journey.

Date: May 14, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Midtown Athletic Club (200 E Highland Dr, Rochester, NY 14610)
Tickets: $10/each

Please note: This month’s Speaker Series will be held off-site at Midtown Athletic Club. You do not need to be a Midtown member to attend, but registration is required due to limited seating.

About the Event:
This workshop is designed to build awareness and understanding around mental health by focusing on three key areas: recognizing the signs and symptoms of emotional distress, learning practical skills to provide meaningful support, and exploring available community and organizational resources. Together, these components aim to empower participants to respond with empathy and confidence when someone may be struggling.

About Valerie Way:
Ms. Way is a clinical social worker with nearly 35 years of experience in the mental health and substance use field, where she has also served as a mentor to many. Her expertise centers on co-occurring conditions, peer support, and suicide prevention. She currently serves as President and CEO of the Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe County, Inc., and was recently honored as a 2024 Healthcare Hero by the Rochester Business Journal.

About Kristina Zurich:
Kristina Zurich brings over a decade of experience in mental health and suicide prevention, combining her lived experience as a suicide attempt survivor in recovery with best practices and current insights from the behavioral health field. She serves as Lived Experience Faculty at SafeSide Prevention and as an inpatient peer specialist with the Mental Health Association of Rochester. Kristina also consults with companies to provide mental health education focused on starting conversations in the workplace and reducing stress, and she advises on multiple grant-funded projects.