OUR EVENT

Drug overdoses in the United States increased nearly 30% (year to year) between April 2020 and April 2021.  While this number “only” represents the 100,000+ Americans who lost their battle with addiction, there are countless more who are actively struggling — losing their homes, their children, their jobs or their freedom — and need our help. But help is limited, inaccessible and largely…  ineffective. Addiction is an old problem, exacerbated by the isolation and limited resources of pandemic living, but an old problem still. While money and political talking points are constantly being thrown at “the problem” too little evolution is actually happening in terms of solutions.     

Enter: Breaking the Chains. Led by Dr. Maritsa Yzaguirre-Kelley and her husband —  a former LOA turned addict turned imprisoned felon turned FULLY RECOVERED husband, father and professional — Breaking the Chains is  about awareness, community, and mainly… change.  A change in the way we VIEW addiction (and mental health in general).  A change in the way we APPROACH addiction.  A change in how we talk about addiction, diagnose it, and treat it. We’re not just breaking the chains of addiction; we’re breaking the STIGMA of addiction… along with the stigma of mental health and suicide. We’re breaking the chains of isolation and shame.     

I am Dr. Maritsa Yzaguirre-Kelley, DCM, LMHC, MCAP, I have been working in mental health and substance use disorder for close to 2 decades in a number of different capacities that include jails, treatment centers, private practice, community mental health, schools, court rooms, and more.  While there is a huge — unfortunate —  stigma when it comes to addiction, mental health, and suicide, most everyone will be impacted personally by one of  these three within their lifetime. This is because addiction, mental health, and suicide doesn’t just impact the person going through it, it impacts EVERYONE connected to them. And none of these things discriminate based on age, race, sex, or economic status. There’s a huge need being felt by nearly every community and it is TIME for real resources in real time to create real change.   

Enter: Breaking the Chains.  We’re not here to rehash statistics, no matter how compelling they are. This event will bring together the greatest, most innovative voices in the space and present cutting edge resources that have been proven to work over decades of professional — and in some cases very personal — work. We are here to equip professionals, communities, families  and individuals so they can feel confident when faced with darkness.   

Our Breaking the Chains Event is set up with a number of different ways to participate. Here is a list of ways that you can benefit from our event:    

Sign up as a runner/walker for our 5k https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/NorthFalmouth/BreakingTheChains  This allows you to run in memory — or in solidarity — with a loved one, support your friends who have been impacted by addiction, mental illness or suicide, and create TEAMS of change by gathering your like-minded friends or co-workers to participate in this critical event!  

Attend our FREE  day-time exhibitor hall, meet our vendors  and learn from our day time speakers https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-chains-addiction-and-mental-health-tickets-293892409107 

LINK ARMS with our most committed Chain Breakers!  Enjoy a wonderful, private evening Gala with luxurious food, music, and a line up of speakers that is unrivaled in their experience, heart and real-world help for those suffering! Tickets are just $300 to attend https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-chains-addiction-and-mental-health-tickets-293892409107 

Showcase your business at our exhibitor hall and show the community what you are doing to show your support and help for $1200 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-chains-addiction-and-mental-health-tickets-293892409107