New start: A focus on mental health to bring hope, guidance to the new year

In its continuing efforts to bring mental health issues – including anxiety and depression – to light, the Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force (NENDATF) is hosting its second annual program, this year called “New Year, New Mind, New Start,” tomorrow, December 28. The free event is open to the public and will include speakers and musicians meant to inspire hope and resilience leading into the new year.  

The New Year, New Mind program was designed to promote awareness about mental health, provide resources for coping with mental health challenges, and foster a supportive environment that reduces the stigma associated with mental health disorders despite the prevalence of them in people around the world; the last few years alone show a substantial increase in the number of people living with anxiety and depressive disorders. 

The goal for tomorrow’s event, said NENDATF Executive Director Linda Oristano, “is to extend hope and support to those facing mental health challenges.” She hopes those who attend will feel empowered with the tools and knowledge to embrace the New Year with renewed purpose, emotional well-being, and resilience. The program will also explore the concept of total wellness and share practical insights on achieving balance and well-being in every aspect of life.

Guest speaker Ellen Ritz, president of the National Alliance on Mental Health, will share significant insights on how to approach 2025 with optimism and hope. April Lee Tolentino will lead a wellness talk. 

“This time of the year is difficult for so many,” Oristano said. The New Year, New Mind, New Start event is a “reminder that no one is alone, and there are caring individuals ready to walk alongside them on their journey.”

The New Year, New Mind, New Start event will take place Saturday, December 28, from 6:30 to 8pm at the Union United Methodist Church on Pulaski Road in East Northport.