BLAINE, Minn. – (Jan. 11, 2018) – The Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County is bringing a new Happy Hour program to the area in 2018.
Happy Hour is 10 one-hour workshops rooted in the science of positive psychology. Happy Hour will be introduced at a 10 Year Celebration and Fundraiser, Thursday, Jan. 18 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the TPC Twin Cities.
Janet Muth, director of health promotion at Carleton College and author of the Happy Hour curriculum, will present “Taking Back Happy Hour.” The Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County is launching Happy Hour because it fits their mission of promoting community awareness, understanding and acceptance of mental health and wellness, according to Donna McDonald, co-chair of the Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County.
“Happy Hour is like an exercise program for the mind,” McDonald said. “Mental health is as important as physical health.”
Happy Hour was created by the Rice County Mental Health Collective, an initiative that is using a public health approach to address mental health needs in the community. The Jan. 18 event program also includes award presentations and highlights of the Mental Wellness Campaign’s tenth year as a nonprofit.
The program has been tested rigorously and only can be taught by trained facilitators to ensure the validity of the experience, according to McDonald. The Mental Wellness Campaign has two certified facilitators and plans to add additional people.
Larry Weight will be recognized with the Health Body, Healthy Mind award for his nearly 50 years of working with adults, children and families as a mental health professional in Anoka County.
Tickets are $30 and include appetizers and activities. Money raised will help bring Happy Hour to businesses, faith communities and other interested groups. You can buy tickets online.
