Break|Through: Building Thriving Communities Through Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Rock Recovery, we believe that healing happens in community. Join us for a powerful evening of connection that will explore how mental health shapes the way we connect, lead, and support one another.

We all want thriving communities, but in today’s high-pressure world, even the most capable people are running on empty– juggling too much, sleeping too little, and bracing for the next crisis. Today, 80% of people say that work undermines their mental health. And when mental health suffers, everything else suffers: Conversations get strained, mistakes happen, burnout spreads, and the most vibrant people withdraw.

Through this event, Dr. Carylynn Larson, keynote speaker and Founder of Rock Recovery, will deliver an engaging and thought-provoking keynote on how mental health drives the way we show up in our workplaces, friendships, and communities. She will explore how fear—of saying the wrong thing, of being vulnerable, of breaking the stigma—often holds us back from meaningful connection.

Through storytelling, research, and real-life strategies, Dr. Larson will introduce her "Recipe for Healing Community", offering a blueprint to:
✔️ Shift from surviving to thriving
✔️ Build resilient, high-performing, human-centered teams
✔️ Embrace a proactive approach to mental health

Break|Through will rewire your thinking and give you actionable tools– along with the confidence to use them. You’ll laugh, reflect, and experience the power of connection. If you're ready to lead the way in creating communities that foster true wellbeing, this talk is for you.

Following the keynote, we’ll host a panel discussion with local Arlington community members who are passionate advocates for mental health and experts in leadership and community building to dive deeper into how we can create spaces of true belonging and care. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served.

📍 Location: Marymount University's Ballston Center Auditorium
📅 Date & Time: May 8th, 5:30-7:30 PM

Speaker/Panelist bios:

Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson is a dynamic keynote speaker and Rock Recovery's Founder. A recognized expert on leadership, team dynamics, coaching, and mental health, she inspires audiences to rethink well-being and build cultures of resilience and connection.

Stacy Huston is a renowned social impact expert, podcast producer, public speaker, and the Executive Director of Kevin Bacon's nonprofit, SixDegrees.Org.

Hon. Julius D. Spain Sr. is an Arlington County Board Member (elected 2024) and retired combat veteran with deep civic roots in the Arlington community and a passion for mental health advocacy.

Rebecca Kiessling is the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Virginia, serving the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and the cities of of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church.

Christie Dondero Bettwy is the Executive Director of Rock Recovery. Having gone through recovery from an eating disorder, she understands the depth of support needed to recover and is passionate about spreading the message that complete freedom is possible.