Westerly Hospital Foundation Co-Sponsors a “Community Conversation on Mental Health and Addiction”

WESTERLY, R.I. – The Westerly Hospital Foundation will co-sponsor a “Community Conversation on Mental Health and Addiction” event on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westerly High School.  The event is also presented by Westerly Public Schools, Washington County Coalition for Children, and South County Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, and the Chariho Youth Task Force.

The two-part event will feature a Community Resource Fair and a 35- minute theatrical production of “Four Legs to Stand On,” a play created by Ana Bess Moyer Bell, MA, Founder, Executive Director COAAST (Creating Outreach About Addiction Support Together).  Moyer Bell is a drama therapist who uses theater as a therapeutic tool and wrote “Four Legs to Stand On,” a story about one American family struggling with their child’s opioid addiction.  After the play, the cast will invite the audience to an interactive “talkback” to share their own personal stories and perspective on Mental Health and Addiction.

The Community Resource Fair begins at 6:30 p.m. in the foyer of Federico Gymnasium and will include several community organizations who will provide information on Mental Health and Addiction services, including Wood River Health Services, the Journey to Hope, Health and Healing, Child and Family Intensive Outreach Services (CFTO) at Gateway Healthcare, the Coastal Wellness Collective, the Westerly Substance Abuse Task Force, and Harvest Acres Farm.

The presentation of “Four Legs to Stand On” will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Westerly High School auditorium.

“Four Legs to Stand On” has been used to educate Harvard medical staff, high school students, the RI Department of Health, and communities across Rhode Island and Massachusetts on Mental Health and Addiction issues. It has been performed in many different venues include residential rehab facilities, community theaters, and high school auditoriums.