A Special Program for Mosaic AgCollege 2015

Mike Veny

Mike Veny, founder of TransformingStigma.com, is a sought after mental health stigma expert, keynote speaker, and professional drummer. He delivers entertaining, engaging, and educational experiences to conferences and events throughout the world. After suffering from a devastating mental health breakdown in August of 2011, Mike made the decision to use his speaking and drumming skills to serve others. As a person who painfully struggles with mental health challenges every day, he is committed to transforming the stigma surrounding mental health.

Let’s NOT wait for another mass shooting or suicide to TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

Mike discovered his path as a speaker through convincing the staff at psychiatric hospitals to discharge him 3 times during his childhood. In addition to being hospitalized as a child, he was expelled from 3 schools, attempted suicide, and was medicated in attempts to reduce his emotional instability and behavioral outbursts. By the fifth grade, Mike was put in a special education class. Aside from getting more individualized attention from the teacher, he learned that pencil erasers make a great sound when tapped on a desk. He had no idea that drumming would become his career or his path to recovery.

Satisfied clients rave about the powerful impact Mike has had on audiences. He inspires attendees to leave his presentations inspired with new ideas and simple action steps that they can apply immediately. You can feel confident in choosing Mike to address the subject of mental health stigma effectively. As a member of Toastmaster’s International, a professional speaker in the National Speaker’s Association and Global Speakers Federation, he’s presented in front of audiences consisting of youth, parents, adults, and professionals. His perspectives have been featured on the Healthy Minds Canada blog and on the radio show, NBC 40 News, WKOK Sunrise News Radio 1070.

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DISCLAIMER: There are many typographical and grammatical errors in this handout! They were put there intentionally for people who like to find the errors in stuff.

1 MORE DISCLAIMER: I am not a mental health professional. If you need medical help, please consult a doctor. If you are having an emergency, please call 911.

3 Copyright © 2015. Mike Veny, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Mental Read books & blogs Write in a journal Take classes YouTube Therapy & counseling 12 step programs Art expression

Physical Exercise Nutrition Rest Organize your space Therapy & counseling 12 step programs Art expression

Spiritual Spiritual practice Therapy & counseling 12 step programs Art expression

Social & Emotional Self talk Affirmations Healthy friendships Boundaries Therapy & counseling 12 step programs Art expression

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Good Therapy: Find the right therapist for you at the right price fast! Also learn how to manage your relationship with your therapist so you can get the most out of it. www.TransformingStigma.Com/good

101 Fitness Myths: Personal trainer and certified nutritionist, Maik Wiedenbach, dispels the myths surrounding the bodybuilding, diet, and fitness industries. www.TransformingStigma.Com/myths

Emotions Anonymous: This program has been known to work miracles in the lives of many who suffer from problems as diverse as depression, anger, broken or strained relationships, grief, anxiety, low self­esteem, panic, abnormal fears, resentment, jealousy, guilt, despair, fatigue, tension, boredom, loneliness, withdrawal, obsessive and negative thinking, worry, compulsive behavior and a variety of other emotional issues. www.EmotionsAnonymous.Org

Recoveries Anonymous: A 12 step program for everyone, no matter what your problems or behaviors may be. www.R­A.Org

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It’s Time for You to Unleash Your Groove™... & Discover the Fun, Excitement & Team­Building Power of Drum Circles!

Improved IQ scores can now officially be added to the growing list of benefits from playing drums.

Drumming also creates a sense of connectedness with self and others.

Economic analysts projected that a Pennsylvania corporation saved $89,100 in costs associated with training new hires by using drumming to improve morale. That’s a return on investment of $60.57 saved for every

dollar invested.

Having truly motivated people is a very powerful thing ­ absenteeism goes down, productivity goes up, people get along better, and it makes your organization a more exciting place to be.

Unfortunately, finding ways to keep "the troops" motivated can be difficult, especially when many

team­building activities have passed the "new and fun stage" and moved right into the "boring and tired stage."

Are you ready to make some noise?

However, there is a team­building activity that is still fresh, and exciting, and wildly entertaining... and that activity is DRUMMING!

That's right, the simple act of having people gather in a circle and bang out a beat can be tremendously uniting,

motivating, and downright fun.

I should know, my name is Mike Veny, and I'm a Drum Circle Facilitator.

I've witnessed the effect a drum circle can have. I've seen the smiles, and the laughter, and I've felt the feelings of kinship and excitement that arose among the participants.

Rhythm ­ Everyone has their own unique sense of rhythm. Relationships ­ You can sit next to someone you don't know really well and connect with them. Responsibility ­ Every single person has an important role in the drum circle. Respite ­ Everyone needs to take a break and HAVE SOME FUN!

And now I want to help YOU experience these same benefits at YOUR SCHOOL.

Please visit www.TransformingStigma.com/drum to learn more.

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Menu of Services offered by mental health stigma expert, keynote speaker,

and professional drummer, Mike Veny.

Topic / Segment of Service

Audience Description

Leadership Lemons into Lemonade™

All C­Level, VP and Manager Levels

Leadership Lemons into Lemonade: How to Thrive as Work Becomes More Challenging focuses on constant changes and new roles, preventing and overcoming burnout and using values as a guide for decision making.

Transforming Stigma Into StrengthTM

All team members and

clients

As a child, Mike Veny was hospitalized, expelled from 3 schools, medicated and put into special education, where he learned that tapping erasers on the desk make a great sound, a skill that would one day lead to a very successful career as a professional drummer. In his journey, Mike found that stigma not only affects

those who struggle with mental health challenges; it also has a profound effect on professionals in the mental health field. This presentation offers a fresh

perspective on mental health stigma and simple steps on how to turn it into a strength.

Transforming Stigma Into

Support, Sales, & SponsorshipsTM

Leaders responsible for fundraising

A peek inside Mike’s business and lessons learned from his experiences fundraising for and serving on non­profit boards. Learn how to turn your mental

health organization into a money­making machine.

Connecting with People to Get CA$HTM

Leaders responsible for fundraising

No matter what type of organization you are, learning how to sell is critical to the health of your success. In this workshop, you’ll learn some invaluable tips on connecting with other people so you can bring in cash and go to the bank and

deposit it.

Unleash Your GrooveTM

All team members and

clients

Drumming creates a sense of connectedness with self and others. That’s right, the simple act of having people gather in a circle and bang out a beat can be

tremendously uniting, motivating, and downright fun. Participants will learn simple music skills, rhythms, and how to work as a team. By the end of this session, participants will be able to perform a complex percussion rhythm as a team, create an original percussion composition, and feel a stronger bond with participants. Lots of music will be made with Toca Percussion instruments.

Participants will experience smiles, laughter, and excitement through interactive games— tremendously uniting, motivating, and downright FUN.

Please visit www.TransformingStigma.com to learn more. 9 Copyright © 2015. Mike Veny, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Honestly, When I think about how the stigma surrounding mental health has impacted my life, the lyrics to the song Carry That Weight by the Beatles immediately come to mind. (NOTE: It’s the 15th track on the Abbey Road album). Here are the lyrics: “Boy, you're gonna carry that weight Carry that weight a long time Boy, you're gonna carry that weight Carry that weight a long time I never give you my pillow I only send you my invitations And in the middle of the celebrations I break down Boy, you're gonna carry that weight Carry that weight a long time Boy, you're gonna carry that weight Carry that weight a long time.”

Carrying the weight of stigma around with you every day of your life is painful and horrible! In my experience with mental health challenges, the hardest part was the many times where I felt no sense of hope. Knowing that other people experienced hopelessness with their mental health challenges is why I began speaking and writing about this subject. The mission of Transforming StigmaTM is to inspire hope through practical content. You don’t have to let your challenges define you. Hopefully, I have given you some food for thought. Finally, if you want to discuss anything please call me or email me. My contact information is at the end of this handout.

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For more information contact:

Agricultural Speakers Network ATTN: Rich Tiller PO BOX 810 Zionsville, IN 46077 (800) 222­1556

Email: rich@TillerGroup.com

Website: www.TransformingStigma.Com

Twitter: @MikeVeny

Facebook: www.FB.com/MikeVeny

Youtube: www.YouTube.Com/MikeVenyTV

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Program Information Form

Are You Ready to Take Your Upcoming Event to the NEXT LEVEL?

Let’s face it ­ your presenter can make or break your event. Mike Veny offers a new format for your attendees, that provides incredible value, and maximum efficiency. He is a sought after speaker and professional drummer. He delivers entertaining, engaging, and educational experiences to conferences and

events throughout the world. Programs:

Transforming Stigma Into StrengthTM Drum Up Your FeelingsTM Drum Up Your FeelingsTM ­ Staff Development Leadership Lemons into LemonadeTM

IMPORTANT: Mike is almost booked up through 2016.

If you have an upcoming event, please fill out the form below.'

Provide Your Personal Information

Full Name:_____________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________ Apt/Suite:____________ City:_____________________ State/Prov:_________ Zip Code:________ Country:___________ Phone:_________________________ Email:_________________________________________ Notes:________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

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