Tonier Cain to Give Keynote
at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network (ADMHN) Event
National renowned speaker and educator addresses the consequences untreated trauma has on individuals and society at-large at 11th Annual Mental Health Benefit Luncheon
Englewood, Colo. (April 16, 2012) — “Eighty percent of our population has been traumatized. The trauma is the underlying reason and the basis that leads to the self-medication, the drug use, and then eventually landing in jail” (Healing Neen, 2010 RE: the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women). In 2004, incarcerated for the 66th time, Tonier “Neen” Cain finally received treatment for her lifetime of trauma, offering her a way out… and up.
Tonier’s story, as illustrated in the 2010 documentary Healing Neen, addresses the consequences that untreated trauma has on individuals and society at-large, including mental health problems, addiction, homelessness and incarceration. Today, she is a nationally renowned speaker and educator on the devastation of trauma and the hope of recovery. Tonier “Neen” Cain will deliver the keynote speech at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network’s 11th Annual Mental Health Benefit Luncheon Friday, May 11 at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood, CO.
After surviving a childhood of abuse and neglect, Tonier “Neen” Cain lived on the streets for two nightmarish decades, where she endured unrelenting violence, hunger and despair while racking up 66 criminal convictions related to her addiction. “This is how it’s supposed to be for me. I am nothing, I’m never going to amount to anything, and this is how it is. I’ll stay here. I’ll die just like this. I had become comfortable with this,” confesses Tonier in her documentary.
The event hosted by Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network will kick off at 11:00am with a reception offering professional networking and background music by the Breckenridge-based Peneplain Jazz Trio. At 11:30 a.m., the luncheon will begin, with emcee April Zesbaugh, co-anchor of 850KOA Colorado’s Morning News. Distinguished Service and Community Hero awards will be presented to Senator Linda Newell for her leadership at the Capitol in sponsoring mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention; and John Vellos, respectively, for his significant contributions to behavioral health issues through advisory, support and advocacy.
After the brief award ceremony, Tonier Cain will present her heartwrenching story of a lifetime of trauma, ending with the hope of recovery. For, where there’s breath, there’s hope.
Proceeds from the event will benefit local low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals in critical need of mental health and substance abuse treatment services in our community.
Individual tickets are $75. The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center is located at 200 Inverness Drive West in Englewood. Corporate Sponsorships (offering tables of ten) are also available by contacting Jacy Conradt at 303 793 9602. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.admhn.org or call 303 779 9676.
For more information and to view the trailer for Healing Neen, visit: www.healingneen.com
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About Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network
Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network is a private, nonprofit 501 © (3) corporation providing professional, comprehensive behavioral health care and substance abuse treatment primarily, but not exclusively, serving the communities of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. We offer programs for adults, seniors, families, couples and children. These services include counseling, psychiatry, crisis services, case management, substance abuse treatment, victim services, an adult acute treatment unit, supported and residential housing, services to the criminal justice system, vocational and social rehabilitation, a day treatment therapeutic school and school-based services. Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network has an on-site pharmacy. We offer community education, wellness programs and a Speakers Bureau.
