Chamber program to focus on impact of anxiety and depression

PennSuburban Chamber of Greater Montgomery County will be hosting a program titled “The Six Degrees of Depression and Anxiety ... Could You Be Connected or Affected?”

The Community Health and Youth Foundation is hosting the fifth installment of programs previously held under the Chamber’s Health Committee.

The idea behind these programs was to discuss a topic in a way that was more engaging. “We could take a different angle in giving recognition to some of these issues that are really affecting the community,” said Chamber President Pam Kelly.

Last year the Chamber hosted a program on addiction to which Kelly said was, “unfortunately well received,” due to the number of families affected in the community.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, depression and anxiety affects more than 15 million adults.

Jerry Lawson, a member of the chamber’s Health Committee and founder of Right At Home, a home care and assistance service for seniors, and the moderator for the program, believes that because depression and anxiety affects so many, it is important for people to have accurate knowledge about it.

“[We’re] tying to help people better understand where they can get the resources to get the help they need,” said Lawson.

Whether with his home care service or acting as a moderator for a resourcebased program, Lawson has always set out to have an active role in the lives of members of his community.

“I’ve always been affiliated with a product of service that makes a difference in people’s lives,” said Lawson. But depression and anxiety also hits close to home for him, as family members ranging from children to adults have been battling it.

The program will feature a knowledge-based panel discussion that will focus on the signs, symptoms and treatment of anxiety and depression.

Representatives from different local organizations will be attendance with various information and resources available.

One panelist in particular, Amanda Koenig, will be sharing her personal journey of living with the illness and receiving treatment.

Koenig has been battling depression and anxiety since her junior year in high school. The past six years, she says, have been a roller coaster for her. “I have had professional help, seeing therapists and psychiatrists for most of those years,” said Koenig.

“I have been blessed with an incredible support system through family and friends who have helped and continue to help me to be healthy.”

Kelly hopes that the program will help rid the stigma of openly discussing mental health issues. “We want to show that it affects so many of us,” said Kelly. “Hopefully we can help start that open dialogue.”

Lawson hopes that Amanda’s story will bring a sense of hope through overcoming.

“What we want people to walk away with is that if you get the help you need, the resources you need it can make a difference in your life,” said Lawson. “And that’s why we’re taking this approach.”

Koenig says that having a support system since she was a teenager of other girls just like her and professionals, understanding that she’s not alone, was a turning point for her.

“I hope that sharing [my experience] can help others to realize there is a way to live with depression and anxiety,” said Koenig, “and it doesn’t always have to be in darkness.”

The program is open to people of all ages and will provide a general overview of information to those in attendance.

The program will take place Thursday, April 6, at 6 p.m. at Abington Jefferson Health, Lansdale Hospital in classrooms E & F. Registration is free at www. pennsuburban.org.

Light refreshments will be provided.