SpeakUp News July 2023

July 2023

Dog Days of Summer

How Animals Heal

Dogs. Mental health. How do they correlate? It’s no secret that dogs play a huge role in aiding a person’s mental health. Dogs can heal in ways that no other can. The benefits are wide-ranging, and it is shown that simply being around dogs can increase oxytocin and dopamine, which is a natural hormone that signifies feelings of calmness and happiness.

Message from Grace Gallagher Executive Director, CKG Foundation

We often think of summertime as vacation time. No school. Beaches, day trips, ice cream on warm summer nights. Let’s be sure not to take a vacation from our mental health. Summer is a great time to focus on what nature already gives us that is so good for our mental health- Vitamin D. Fun fact, most know that a good dose of Vitamin D improves mood, but it also enables your body to produce more melatonin at night...

Timely & Notable

Don't Miss This!

Live Conversation with Shea Adam

Based in Utah, Shea Adam is an American auto racing reporter on television and radio. She is one of the pro drivers for the annual Karting 4 CKG, pro-am Kart race event and fundraiser at Virginia International Raceway. Shea is a mental health advocate with passion to erase mental health stigma especially in teens...

CKG Spotlight

Merle's Door by Ted Kerasote

Whether you are a dog lover or not, Merle’s Door is a tale well-told and makes a great summer read. A deeply touching portrait of a remarkable dog and his relationship with the author, Merle’s Door explores the issues that all animals and their human companions face as their lives intertwine, bringing to bear the latest research into.

SpeakUp5k

The 10th Dominion Payroll SpeakUp5k is just over two months away! Join us on September 9th for the biggest celebration of teen mental health in RVA! Register today to participate at Byrd Park or Virtually.

Not able to make it? Consider donating to the SpeakUp5k to keep our Programs free to teens and help us reach our goal of $95,000.

Mental Health Education

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful students from Catholic Heart Work Camp for dedicating their time to CKG. This group of teens from Atlanta came for a week in June to participate in our programs, assist with race preparation, and organize materials. They listened and learned, and they also inspired us. We are so grateful for their commitment to SpeakUp.

You Are Not Alone. Resources Are Available.

Mental Health Resources

Cameron K. Gallagher Mental Health Resource Center

Our Mission

To fulfill Cameron's dream and legacy by being a positive force that works to cultivate awareness and understanding of teen depression anxiety.

The CKG Foundation is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code: Tax ID 46-5172019. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

3200 Rockbridge Street, Suite 102

Richmond, VA 23230

804.528.5000

info@ckgfoundation.org

www.ckgfoundation.org