Sunshine From Darkness to host ‘Step Into the Light: A Mental Health Summit’ at Robarts Arena

Special to the Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Linda Larsen, a hostage survivor, will speak on “Breaking the Silence: One Woman’s Ongoing Journey to Mental Well-Being” during the "Step Into the Light" mental health wellness forum on Oct. 28 at Robarts Arena in Sarasota.
Linda Larsen, a hostage survivor, will speak on “Breaking the Silence: One Woman’s Ongoing Journey to Mental Well-Being” during the "Step Into the Light" mental health wellness forum on Oct. 28 at Robarts Arena in Sarasota.

Sunshine From Darkness will present "Step Into the Light," a free mental health wellness event, on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Robarts Arena in Sarasota.

The event will feature keynote speaker Linda Larsen and other mental health experts in addition to interactive experiences and resources to promote mental health wellness.

“Our hope is that the summit will empower attendees to learn new coping skills, promote mental health wellness in their unique environments, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness,” Sunshine from Darkness executive director Marlene Hauck said.

Step Into the Light is a learning opportunity for clients, clinicians, parents, advocates, and anyone interested in mental health wellness, organizers said.

Larsen will speak on “Breaking the Silence: One Woman’s Ongoing Journey to Mental Well-Being.” Larsen believes in the power of engaging in critical conversations about mental health. Much of her life was shrouded in fears that drove her to the brink of suicide several times, including the day she was taken hostage by an escaped convict and held at gunpoint for six hours – a life-changing experience that dramatically shifted her perspective about life and death.

Other scheduled speakers represent organizations that include the Yale School of Medicine, Resilient Retreat, Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, Florida Department of Health/Sarasota County, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties, and Sarasota County Health and Human Services. The topics will include anxiety, depression, children’s mental health, generational trauma, and guidance on navigating the mental health system.

Attendees will have an opportunity to engage with community resources and take part in a wide range of interactive experiences, including yoga, art and music therapy, and virtual reality. Sponsors include Equilibrium, Gould Family Foundation of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Herrera Psychology Telement, and Sage Therapeutics/Biogen.

The summit will serve as a prelude to the Sunshine From Darkness Inspiring Hope Dinner, which will be held on Jan. 12 at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. This year’s dinner will feature actor Tom Arnold, who will talk about his long journey dealing with addiction.

Sunshine From Darkness is dedicated to raising funds for charities that provide health and addiction disorder services in the Sarasota community. Visit stepintothelight.sunshinefromdarkness.org.

Submitted by Gayle Guynup

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sunshine From Darkness to host mental health summit at Robarts Arena