FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2020
The Charlottesville Police Department will be assisting a local mental health nonprofit organization with distributing additional mental health resources to support our community during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to a generous grant and the help of the Charlottesville community, Brave Souls on Fire will be distributing 300 “Bags of Hope” to the community, with 150 of them going to CPD for distribution when they encounter individuals on calls experiencing distress or anxiety.
Each bag has a face covering, stress ball, journal, fidget gadgets, play dough, tea, snacks, gum, candy, handouts created by local clinicians on self-care, adult coloring sheets, and word searches, affirmations, humor, a list of home activity suggestions, and other local mental health resources. These items are intended to cultivate hope, resilience, and self-care.
“COVID-19 has added financial stress, physical isolation, altered daily routines, added fear, grief, loneliness, and uncertainty of the future,” said Myra Anderson, director of Brave Souls on Fire. “For some individuals, it has caused mental health symptoms to worsen, and Bags of Hope were created specifically for individuals who are mentally struggling during this pandemic.”
“This pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and intensified need for mental health resources and support,” said Chief RaShall Brackney. “We are honored to partner with BSOF to ensure the residents of Charlottesville have access to the mental health resources they need during these challenging times.”
Interview opportunities are available with Myra Anderson and Chief RaShall Brackney at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the Charlottesville Police Department.
Media Contact
Tyler Hawn
Public Information Officer
Charlottesville Police Department
o. 434-970-3640
m. 434-409-3439
hawnto@charlottesville.gov