New Foundation Created for Mental Health in Minority Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gallatin, Tennessee, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) October 22, 2010 -- October 18, 2010 – Tenn. A new foundation has been created to raise awareness about mental health issues within the minority community. The Bri and Me Foundation located in Gallatin, TN is the coinage of Psychotherapist Mari Alexander (Me) and Brianne (Bri) Ross-McElroy and was created in honor of Bri who suffers from Bipolar Disorder. “We've made it our mission to ensure that every Minority is made aware of the issue of mental health and illnesses. Our goal is to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues in our community”, says Mari Alexander, MA, LPC-MHSP.

According to The National Institute of Mental Health. an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older - about one in four adults - suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 6.8 million, 3.1%, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 2.2 million, 1.0%, Panic Disorder: 6 million, 2.7%, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 7.7 million, 3.5%, Social Anxiety Disorder: 15 million, 6.8%, Specific Phobia affects: 19 million, 8.7%, Any Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder and Specific Phobia, Agoraphobia) affects 36 million (16.3%) of adult Americans. (http://www.nimh.nih.gov)
“Our foundation provides a combination of support, awareness and activism that seems to be lacking in the minority community. Mental Health is as important as physical health and Minorities need to become more responsible in both area. We also offer a scholarship program to support anyone who cannot afford therapy costs, in their area”, adds Alexander.

“The Bri and Me Foundation will be conducting a national campaign and touring the U. S., providing instruction through presentations, trainings, seminars, conferences as well as therapy and can be booked by emailing their offices at briandmefoundation@yahoo.com. “Our people perish because of the lack of knowledge and we want to shed some knowledge and the message of mental wellness bringing a hope into the communities, concludes Alexander.
###
About Brianne Ross- McElroy
Brianne Ross McElroy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Master’s Degree in Education, from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). Brianne has been a high school teacher for 5 years, lives in LV and is married with no children. She aspires to attend law school to help people with disabilities.
About Mari Ross Alexander, MA, LPC-MHSP

Mari Ross Alexander entered the counseling field in 1997 and is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice that specializes in marriage and family issues with an emphasis in mental disorders and trauma resolution. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University and her Master’s Degree from Argosy University in Nashville, TN. Mari is currently completing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. She is the mother of 2 sons and a daughter who was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.
About Me and Bri Foundation

Bri and Me Foundation was founded by sisters Brianne (Bri) Ross-McElroy and Mari (Me) Ross-Alexander in 2010. They encourage churches, pastors, teachers, health care professionals, individuals, and families to explore the issues of mental illness/disorders to attempt to address the issues. The foundation provides presentations, seminars, trainings, counseling and consultations to instruct you or your organization on the signs, symptoms and treatment of a vast number of mental health issues from unregulated anger to schizophrenia and all points in between. The Bri and Me Foundation offer a Scholarship Program to support anyone who cannot afford therapy costs, in their area. http://briandmefoundation.yolasite.com

More information can be found online at http://www.likethatpr.com

anxiety disorders interview schedule     anxiety disorders problems     anxiety disorders symptoms     anxiety disorders treatment  anxiety disorders     bipolar disorder     Communities Development     foundation     health care     Mental Health Course Provider     PSYCHOTHERAPIST     recovery