Prom with a Purpose to raise funds for Grand Haven nonprofit

Good News Notes: “You don’t have to be in high school to dress up and attend prom. On Saturday, a Grand Haven-based nonprofit will host Prom with a Purpose, inviting anyone in the community to participate in an evening of dinner, dancing and a silent auction. The event, one of the largest annual fundraisers for…

UMass Medical School drama therapy mental illness patients

Good News Notes: “In the play “Lost & Found,” there is a king, a queen, a princess and a wise man. The characters are reading the lines on their scripts. But those “actors” are not real actors from a drama series.   They are a group of people struggling with mental illness who are either stuck in the dark or in the process of recovery, going through a…

Community Now helps children overcome trauma

Good News Notes: “An organization in Moreno Valley works to prevent the stressors of childhood trauma to build a stronger community. Founded in 2010, Community Now offers programs that reduce the danger of long-term mental stress or mental illness that result from “adverse childhood experiences.” Experiences that create childhood trauma can include abuse, neglect and…

Shelter dog proves you can train older dogs to be therapy animals

Good News Notes: “They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but can you? One shelter dog is proving that maybe you can. If Willa Mae could really speak, she would have quite the story to tell.” “‘Willa Mae is breaking down myths that we have been trying to spread the facts of…

CLC students relax with therapy dog visit

Good News Notes: “Students at Central Lakes College reacted in exactly that way Monday, March 2, when they caught sight of Chance, Goldie and Jet, three therapy dogs sent to make the day a little less stressful. All three dogs and their owners are certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs in Baxter. CLC counselor Suzie…

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone shares how she coped with depression during a ‘professional high’

 Good News Notes: “Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has spoken out about her battle with depression, calling for greater public discussion to help tackle the mental health crisis. Padukone, who is one of India’s highest-paid actresses, said her experience during a seeming “professional high” revealed the illness’ indiscriminatory nature and inspired her to campaign for other sufferers.”…