Expo aims to reduce mental illness stigma

Event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Waldorf Culture Center

Deidra Sorrell is a licensed professional counselor who believes that mental health therapy is not only conducive to a better lifestyle, but also beneficial for the overall well-being of every individual regardless of age.

With more than 15 years of experience in providing psychological services ranging from anger management to thinking disorders, Sorrell has helped children and adults embrace their true selves by using nearly one dozen types of therapy.

Sorrell is now looking to offer her services pro bono at the Mental Health Now Expo 2018, an event she’s planning for Sept. 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waldorf Culture Center. Her goal is to teach the public about ways to cope with stressful events and how to identify mental health disorders.

“The mental health expo is designed to help reduce and even erase the stigma associated with mental health,” said Sorrell, who currently has a private practice in Waldorf known as Synergy Wellness Therapeutic Services. “Many people are struggling with symptoms of mental health but they don’t seek treatment because there is a stigma associated with it. People don’t want to be labeled as crazy. People don’t want to be seen as weak or feel like their job may be in jeopardy if they seek mental health assistance.”

“So, this event is to help educate the public about mental health,” she continued. “This is to help people get screened and learn about some of the symptoms of mental health, as well as help them meet others in the field just in case they’re looking for a therapist.”

In addition to presentations on self care including yoga sessions and massage therapy, Sorrell said the expo will feature a panel discussion about school safety with concerned community members. One of the guest panelists will be Charles County native Yolanda Makle Stennett, who was crowned Mrs. Maryland America 2018.

“I hope that people will learn more about mental health and understand that seeking assistance is just as normal and routine as seeking out assistance for a physical health illness. There’s no shame in it,” Sorrell said. “We just feel so strongly about it so [my colleagues and I put our own money in] and hope that we’ll get it back with people purchasing vendor tables.”

Vendor tables will be sold for $50. Small business owners, who are in the health and wellness field, are also welcome to the free event.

“We’re also doing marketing so if someone wants to have their business card or flyer in the little swag bags that we will give everyone, they just have to pay $25,” said Sorrell. “We definitely need participants. It’s free and open to the public and we want to get as many people as we can.”

Having planned her first-ever expo, Sorrell said she hopes to motivate and encourage more individuals to become mental health advocates.

“Oftentimes when people are dealing with depression and anxiety, they feel alone. They feel isolated,” she said. “If someone feels suicidal, they don’t always know who to reach out to or where to go. I just want to let people know that there are mental health professionals out there like myself who are here to listen and help you.”

Sorrell is confident that a heavy turnout on Sept. 8 will lead to bigger and better possibilities, year after year.

“We want to do more of these in the future, like a mental health gala where people can dress up, eat and party but for a real purpose,” she said. “At first I was kind of worried because we were begging people to be vendors. But now, people are reaching out and starting to show interest. I think the demand is going to be high enough for us to do this every year.”

For more information about the mental health expo, call 301-259-3504.