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Networking Event & Butterfly Release in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month (April 8, 2016 Boca Raton, FL) - The Faulk Center for Counseling will observe Mental Health Awareness Month with a Butterfly Release and wine and cheese networking event on Thursday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m. The event is co-chaired by Dr. Virginia Crist and Jeremy Horelick. For over 40 years, the Faulk Center for Counseling has been providing free and low-cost mental health counseling to thousands in the community. Early detection and treatment of mental health problems is essential to an individual’s overall health and well-being. Like the transformation of a butterfly representing change, rebirth and renewal, individuals who seek help from the Faulk Center for Counseling learn to think differently, feel healthier and live happier. Donations from our event will provide free and low-cost mental health counseling to those less fortunate in our community. Support for community-based mental health organizations like the Faulk Center for Counseling offers help to individuals before they reach crisis, and benefits the community and country as a whole. The results are reduced later-stage expenses like hospital stays and disability benefits, and more individuals who are able to contribute and work in the community. Florida ranks 49th among the 50 states in per capita mental health funding, and the Legislature continually cuts funding to mental health programs. Yet, one in four adults-approximately 61.5 million Americans-will experience mental illness in a given year. The need for affordable mental health care is critical in our state. With early intervention and treatment for mental health issues at places like the Faulk Center, our society could greatly impact and decrease these alarming statistics: • 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 15 and 75% by age 24. • 1 in 5 children ages 13-18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness (e.g. mood disorder, behavior/conduct disorder, anxiety disorder). • Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24. • Approximately 50% of students age 14 and older with a mental illness drop out of high school. It’s time mental health receives the attention it deserves compared with other debilitating illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Event Details Location: Faulk Center for Counseling, 22455 Boca Rio Road Date: Thursday, May 11, 5:30 p.m. Cost: No cost to attend. Donations appreciated. Make a $25 donation & receive a butterfly tribute card to send in honor or memory of someone. Call 561-483-5300 to rsvp or for more information. About the Faulk Center for Counseling: The Faulk Center for Counseling, formerly the Center for Group Counseling, provides free and low-cost individual, family, and group counseling to the community. We offer programs for adults, children, seniors, families and couples at our facility in Boca Raton, Fl and at outreach locations throughout Palm Beach County. Clinical services are provided through a unique partnership among graduate students pursuing doctoral and Master’s degrees in a mental health field and volunteer mental health professionals. All graduate students and volunteers are trained and supervised by our licensed clinical staff. We provide a warm, accepting environment where everyone has the capacity to grow. No one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.