Day of Mental Health and Healing
INDIANAPOLIS (May 11, 2021) – Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) has partnered with Indianapolis-based cultural development firm GANGGANG to present Indianapolis’ Day of Mental Health and Healing sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Friday, May 14. Declared an official day by the City of Indianapolis, people are encouraged to collectively take a break in the form of a pause to reflect, be mindful, and take action toward their mental health.
PS&E’s continued commitment to mental health is part of the NBA’s overall goal of providing ongoing education and helping to humanize and reframe the conversation around mental health and wellness. The NBA and its teams are looking to leverage Mental Health Awareness Month in May to deliver information, resources, and services to league and team employees, players, coaches, referees, and fans.
This is an incredibly important topic for the league and PS&E family and we are excited about the opportunity to leverage Gainbridge Fieldhouse in this way for our community.
Corey Wilson, PS&E Vice President of Community Engagement
So much has happened in the last few years and it continues to pile on, not giving ourselves the time to really process it. We can, at least, take a day to acknowledge the weight of the moment, as a collective. And, this is what culture does well. Culture will help us heal.
Mali Jeffers, Co-founder of GANGGANG
The nation and the City of Indianapolis have suffered through a year of tremendous stress and heartache amid the pandemic, countless Black lives lost, and most recently the innocent lives taken during the FedEx shooting, among so much more. The Pacers organization and the co-founders of GANGGANG recognize the strain these events have caused the community and want the people of Indianapolis to take a step back, reflect, and find respite in culture.
In light of encouraging positive mental health, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, GANGGANG, and PS&E will provide space for the community to take action. “We are proud to take part in this unique event that recognizes the whole health of an individual is made up of healthy body, healthy mind and healthy spirit,” said Beth Keyser, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana. “Our data shows many Hoosiers have not sought the mental health support the need in the past year. That’s why it is our hope the community will see this as an opportunity, as a resource, to do something positive to improve their mental health.”
Participants must register here for one of three sessions at Bankers Life. Each session will be 75 minutes long, and each will include a sound bath with guided meditation, yoga, and brief remarks from a civic leader. There will be stations for safe spaces to talk, as well as areas where you can write a postcard to yourself or a loved one that will be mailed. Individual sessions will be capped at a 63 participants.
- Session 1 - 9:30 a.m. - Welcome by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Remarks by Sarah Myer, Indiana Sports Corp. | Yoga with Heartland Mindfulness Collective
- Session 2 - Noon - KP Singh and Meisha Wide, WideLens Enterprise Consulting | Sound Bath and Meditation with Here Minds Indy
- Session 3 – 2:30 p.m. - Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens Energy Group | Rest and Sound Experience with Charlie Redd
- Love Notes Session by PATTERN - 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Conversation Station by Create. Collab. Connect. - 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
All participants are required to mask-up and practice social distancing. Yoga mats are provided by Lolë & PS&E, but participants are welcome to bring their own. Free parking will be available at the Virginia Avenue parking garage. For those unable to attend, the morning session will be streamed online by PS&E at GainbridgeFieldhouse.com.
“Mental health is too important to our collective well-being to ignore and we must work to destigmatize and address the issue,” said Vop Osili, president of the Indianapolis City-County Council. “Let us devote ourselves this day, and on this date in the years to come, to focus on mental health and healing.”
Indianapolis businesses are encouraged to take it upon themselves on this day to recognize mental health day in any way they feel willing or able.
About Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) is the corporate identity exemplified by the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Pacers Gaming, Pacers Foundation, Inc., and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Its team of inspired and dedicated employees promises to deliver quality entertainment and unparalleled service. For more information, visit pacers.com.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @AnthemBCBS_News and @AnthemBCBS or find us on Facebook.
About GANGGANG
GANGGANG is a cultural development firm on a mission to produce, promote and preserve culture in cities as a means toward equity. GANGGANG discovers opportunities to spark activity in the creative economy. For more information, visit ganggangculture.com or follow us on social media, @ganggangculture.
Media Contact
Ellen Neiers, Pivot Marketing for GANGGANG
ellen@pivotmarketing.com | (936) 230-9190, direct