Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that as of Monday, April 4 there have been 489,779,062 confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, resulting in 6,152,095 deaths. As of March 31, WHO also reported that a total of 11,056,690,967 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide.
Staggering statistics!
According to a CDC report earlier in the pandemic, a survey of adults across the U.S. cited that 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% reported having started or increased substance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms, and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide within the past 30 days.
Alarming mental health issues!
These numbers not only correlate but appear to confirm that mental illness is fast becoming a pandemic-like health concern of our times. Globally, nationally, regionally, and locally. No longer is there a stigma attached to the term. And there never should have been.
Giving hope an hour at a time, Daemion Counseling Center, Berwyn, has achieved more than a half-century of providing help and hope for those struggling with mental health issues. And, on Friday, May 13, it will host its Anniversary Hope Gala at Waynesborough Country Club, Paoli. Gala proceeds will help Daemion continue to provide professional, essential, and affordable mental health services for local individuals and families in need.
Founded as Daemion House, a place of refuge for troubled teens, Daemion offers professional counseling to all residents throughout the Delaware Valley that are seeking help to cope with life’s many transitions regardless of their financial circumstances.
Anxiety and stress management, anger management, depression, drug and alcohol evaluation, positive wellbeing, grief, loss and aging and support groups are among services Daemion offers.
Recognized for “giving hope one hour at a time,” Daemion provides adolescents (age 14+) through seniors with affordable care, including those who are under insured or non-insured
The Hope Gala will begin with a welcome reception featuring live music by the popular BlueSky Band and continue with an auction of 10 luxury items each valued at $500 or more, and the recognition of long-time volunteer supporter Eadeh Enterprises and its CEO, Stacey Ballard.
Fran Dunphy, legendary basketball coach of Penn and Temple, will keynote the evening with an inspirational message for the more than 200 guests that are expected to attend.
Dunphy, the winningest Philadelphia college basketball coach in history, began his coaching career at the United States Military Academy (1971–72) where he served as an assistant under head coach Dan Dougherty. In 1977 he became the head basketball coach and accounting teacher at his high school alma mater, Malvern Prep where he remained until becoming Lefty Ervin’s assistant at LaSalle University (1979–80). The following year, he joined Gary Williams’ staff at American University.
Returning to La Salle in 1985, he served a season under Ervin and assisted Speedy Morris for two seasons, leaving La Salle to become top assistant at Penn. In 1989, he succeeded Tom Schneider as Penn head coach. In 2006 he succeeded John Chaney as head coach of the Temple Owls. By taking the job, Dunphy became the first man ever to lead two separate Big 5 basketball programs
During his 17-year career at Penn, he compiled a 310–163 overall record and won 10 Ivy League titles. Dunphy’s 310 wins are the most by any Penn coach. His Quaker teams won 48 straight Ivy League games and four league titles from 1992 through 1996.
Dunphy, raised in Southwest Philadelphia and Drexel Hill, starred at La Salle from 1967 through 1970 and graduated with a marketing degree. In 1979, he received a master’s degree in counseling and human relations from Villanova.
For more information about the Gala, table sponsorships (that include tickets for the event,) as well as individual tickets, visit daemioncounseling.org or call 610.647.1431 or email staff@daemioncounseling.org. .
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Once again, Christians throughout the world are looking forward to the glorious Feast of the Resurrection. The celebration of victory over death. The annual springtime of the soul. The centerpiece of the Christian faith.
It is a day that children gleefully scoop up colored eggs hidden on the lawn. The appearance of a bigger-than-life bunny delights children of all ages. Even at the wane of a pandemic, it is a time again for the landed, and not-so-landed, gentry to parade their new finery and sing Alleluia, He is risen!
Most Christians will celebrate the day by rejoicing in the risen Christ in worship services full of pomp and circumstance, flowers and trumpets, prayers and praise and hope in their hearts.
Sadly, others will continue to scoff at the anniversary of this Easter event, lamenting that mankind’s behavior has not really changed in the 2000 years since the story was first told about a prophet who was crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day.
The “story” that is the epicenter of the Christian faith is still under attack from many sides (books, movies, TV, social media, in the workplace, in schools, and even in the homes of neighbors and friends) by a growing multitude of non-believers, semi-believers and fragilely faithful.
Fictitious tomes like the DaVinci Code, the Gospel of Judas, Jesus of Morris Street the Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years, and others, are given purchase despite the untold number of priests, ministers, and other resolute leaders of flocks of believers throughout the world that proclaim the risen Christ is “the real deal.”
Finally, the best thing for believers to do is stand back in awe, at the empty tomb as did the first disciples. Doing so, dear readers, is the most significant way to wish the world a Happy Easter.
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Finally, nobody asked me, but Thomas Jefferson (you remember him … the third President of the United States) left a revered legacy of achievements and an abundant library of quotable thoughts that are as valid today as they were 200+ years ago. Consider this example: “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
The Last Word: Good day, good luck, and good news tomorrow.
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