Event(s) Summary
Number of Events Organized During Brain Awareness Week:
6
Year:
2016
Type of Events Held:
- Lecture/ Briefing
- Other
- Other: 1)Staff appreciation notes for support (social connection is good for the brain) 2) Guest Speaker for Education group for clients in treatment for substance use disorder: English Professor turned world champion weight lifter/marathon runner Pat Okker--teaching your brain new skills for sports AND recovery 3) Education Group with Heather Jacobson --exploring
- Other: "This is Your Brain on Drugs" 4) Heather Harlan delivered a training to all staff: "Diversity: Push ups for Your Brain."5)Hosting guest speaker Dietitian Cassie McClellan
- Other: RD
- Other: LD
- Other: to discuss foods that are good for your brain 6) Laugh It Up at Phoenix! A comedy improv show with the River Rats Improv Comedy Troupe from Boonville
- Other: MO --because laughter is good for your brain.
Target Audiences:
- General Public
- Other
- Patients & Caregivers
- Professionals
- Other: co-workers
Approximate Number of People Reached:
approximately 200
Details of Major Brain Awareness Week Events/Activities:
1) Staff appreciation notes. We set out pink pieces of paper that read, “Dear____, One thing I appreciate about your is_________. Thank you for being part of a caring network of people in my life that helps my brain stay healthy. Signed, your co-worker_____” This gave staff the opportunity to share and experience the rewards in our brains from giving and receiving appreciation. 2) Guest speaker Prof. Pat Okker for our education Group on 4/15/16. Prof. Okker spent most of her life as a self-proclaimed bookworm and being over weight. at the age of 50+ she discovered power lifting and marathon running She spoke of the ways training as a brain activity, not will power, can change your life. 3) Heather Jacobson, Phoenix staff member spoke on “Your Brain on Drug” 4)Cassie McClelland, HY-Vee Dietitian spoke to and education group on foods that are good for your brain. 5) Heather Harlan, Phoenix Staff member, gave training to all staff on “Diversity: Your Brain on Push-ups.” 6) Laugh it Up at Phoenix! A comedy show was open to the community with the River Rats Improv Troupe from nearby Boonville, MO. Players stressed laughter is good for your brain. BAW has been a regular activity for us at Phoenix Health Programs. Our community continues to be misinformed as substance use and mental health issues as chronic health issues that affect the brain. Observing BAW at our agency reminds us we are offering treatment for a chronic health issue for which our participants must learn a new skill set to manage these disorders. Since we are a “shoe-string” not for profit (“treating ‘addicts’ is not a popular cause) the resources DANA give us are so appreciated. Thank you for enabling us to highlight brain function and recovery.
Event Planning & Publicity
Publicity Methods Used:
- Emails
- Posters/Flyers
- Social Media
- Other
Which of These Publicity Methods Was The Most Successful?
Resources
Of the Dana Foundation publications/resources distributed at your event(s), if any, please indicate the three most popular. Please choose up to three. If "other," please indicate below:
- BAW Stickers
- BAW Pencils and Erasers
- BAW Buttons
- Staying Sharp: Successful Aging and the Brain
Which BAW graphic materials did you use in publicizing your events?
- BAW Logos
- BAW Facebook Cover Photo
Feedback & Keys to Success
How do you feel BAW participation benefited your organization and the local community?
It benefits our community by highlighting addictions are chronic brain disorders. We get new information and pause to remember better ways to care for our brains. Immediate outcome? co-Workers look forward to staff appreciation notes all year. A real bonding experience. When the English Professor from the University of MO who became a world record setting weight lifer after the age of 50, our clients connected with her telling about having the “change the voices in my head.”
Please share any suggestions or lessons learned that may help others plan future events:
Share the brain pencils and erasers. People love them.
Did/do you like our Facebook page?
Yes
