Mental Health KC

📢 Calling all mental health advocates and professionals! The 2025 Mental Health KC Conference is set for May 29-30 at Johnson County Community College. Want to share your expertise? Speaker proposals are open now! Submit by January 17, 2025, and help us advance mental health awareness and education. You will be notified no later than March 7 of the status of your submission. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/MHKC-2025 #MentalHealthKC #CallForSpeakers

Thank you to everyone who attended the Mental Health KC Fall Symposium on Substance Use and Recovery. Save the date for our Mental Health KC Conference in the spring: May 29th and May 30th We will have info this week about how to submit speaker proposals. #mentalhealthkc #mhkc

Attended the Mental Health KC Symposium on Substance Use and Recovery today. Serving on the infonet committee and being able to participate and hear the wonderful speakers and their stories was inspiring! Free monthly webinars continue, so check out the Mental Health KC page for information!

Final reminder to register! The Mental Health KC Fall Symposium on Substance Use and Recovery is MONDAY The cost is only $20 and professionals get a certificate for 3 contact hours. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g9agQSvX 📅 November 18th, 2024 📍 Johnson County Community College ⏰ 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm Keynote speaker: The keynote speaker is Jennifer Wolfe-Brown, EPICC Program Director at CommCARE. A passionate advocate for individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUD), Wolfe-Brown brings a unique perspective, combining years of lived experience and professional expertise. Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from five engaging breakout sessions: Power of Prevention: Examining strategies to prevent substance use before it starts. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Discussing the benefits of MAT in substance use recovery. Harm Reduction: Exploring nonjudgmental approaches to minimizing the negative effects of substance use. Invitation to Change: Introducing a compassionate, evidence-based approach for supporting loved ones in their recovery journey. Recovery-friendly workplaces: Understanding how employers can support employees in recovery. #MentalHealthKC #SubstanceUseRecovery #OpioidCrisis #MHKCFALL24

Have you registered yet for the Mental Health KC Fall Symposium on Substance Use and Recovery? It's THIS MONDAY 11/18 12:30pm to 3:30pm at Johnson County Community College This is not just for therapists or counselors -- we encourage anyone in the community to attend and learn more about how we can work together to create a positive space for recovery, treatment options, and prevention. Join us in this important community conversation Professionals will earn 3 contact hours for attending. Find out more from Metro Council Board Chair Tom Petrizzo with Beacon Mental Health here in this video. Register today! https://lnkd.in/g9agQSvX

FREE WEBINAR THURSDAY: Social Connection is Mental Health Presenter: Chad Childs Thursday November 14th from 12-1pm cst Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfHttC9 Description: This interactive hour will include a presentation on the integrated health implications of social isolation, and the connections with public health, equity, prevention, suicide, and other behavioral health promotion. National guidance from sources such as Healthy People 2030 and the U.S. Surgeon General has reinforced the overall health benefits of social connection through biology, psychology, and behaviors. This presentation will draw on some of those connections and how they’ve been influenced by our recent pandemic responses and the acceleration of social media. Part of our time together will include a brief conversation about practical ways to improve social connection to benefit our mental health and overall wellbeing. About the presenter: Chad Childs (he/him) is a parent and stepparent of five incredible children and the partner of an incredible leader. He is the Prevention Initiatives Manager for the Community Engagement Institute, and a member of the Trauma-Informed Systems of Care and Early Childhood Initiatives teams. Chad is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of management and leadership experience in the mental and behavioral healthcare field and the fields of higher education, child welfare, and prevention. He is a current board member of the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition, Kansas Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, and the Kansas Balance of State Continuum of Care (Steering Committee). Chad is also Secretary of the Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Coalition and a member of the Sedgwick County Advisory Council on Aging & Physical Disabilities, the Sedgwick County CCBHC Advisory Board, the FFPSA KS Strong Statewide Interagency and Community Advisory Board, and the Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council Kansas Citizen’s Committee and Tobacco Subcommittee. Chad’s career focus has been on providing direct services and facilitating larger systems changes with the goal of helping people to both overcome barriers to their well-being and using their strengths and resources to improve their quality of life. Passionate about: equity Optimistic about: community connections Inspired by: Love

The opioid crisis continues to challenge communities nationwide. Missouri ranks as having the 6th largest drug problem in the U.S., with Kansas close behind at 19th, according to a recent WalletHub report. We invite you to join the 2024 Mental Health KC Fall Symposium: Substance Use and Recovery on Monday, November 18, at Johnson County Community College. This symposium brings together professionals, advocates, and community members to share evidence-based approaches and practical solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in dynamic breakout sessions covering critical topics such as: --Prevention strategies for substance use --Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders --Harm Reduction methods to reduce the negative impact of substance use --Invitation to Change, a compassionate framework for helping loved ones --Recovery-Ready Workplaces and how employers can support those in recovery We are honored to feature a keynote address from the Jennifer Wolfe-Brown Director of the EPICC Program at CommCARE Behavioral Health, who will share her powerful journey of recovery and the impact of the Medication First model in addressing the opioid epidemic. This innovative program has been a trailblazer in providing accessible, patient-centered care for those struggling with substance use disorders. Event Details: Monday, November 18, 2024 ⏰ 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm 📍 Johnson County Community College – Regnier Center, Overland Park, KS Register and join the conversation: Register today: https://bit.ly/MHKCFALL24 #MentalHealthKC #MHKCFALL24 #SubstanceUseRecovery #OpioidCrisis #MentalHealthAdvocacy #RecoveryReady #MAT #AddictionAwareness #HarmReduction

NEXT FREE WEBINAR IS 10/24 @ NOON Recognition and Response to Anxiety and Depression, presented by Susan Crain Lewis Join us for an informative webinar that provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health conditions. The session will cover: Recognizing Symptoms: A detailed exploration of the key symptoms associated with depression and each type of anxiety disorder. When to Seek Clinical Help: Guidance on distinguishing between issues that can be managed through self-care, general wellness strategies, or self-help, and those that require professional clinical intervention. Variations Across Demographics: An overview of how anxiety and depression can present differently across age groups, genders, and ethnicities. Prevalence and Co-morbidities: Insight into the general prevalence of these conditions and their common co-occurrence with other medical conditions, particularly in the case of depression. Treatment Options: A synopsis of effective treatment options, including medications and psychotherapy, as well as self-help and recovery strategies that are beneficial for managing both depression and anxiety disorders. This webinar aims to provide attendees with a well-rounded understanding of these mental health issues and equip them with knowledge about when to pursue professional care versus self-managed strategies. Meet the Presenter: Susan Crain Lewis, MSSW President/CEO, Mental Health America of the Heartland Susan Crain Lewis is the President/CEO of the Mental Health America of the Heartland, responsible for oversight of all agency programs, finances, operations and personnel, and is the organization’s lead policy and systems advocate. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies from Allegheny College, and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has worked in the fields of domestic violence, mental retardation and developmental disability, family planning, reproductive health and teen pregnancy prevention, mental health and child welfare, and with juvenile delinquents, at-risk youth, and persons with mental illness. She has served as a consultant to the Ohio and Indiana Child Welfare Training programs, assisting in training delivery and curriculum design, and in the incorporation of cultural competency in materials, workshops and the training program as a whole. Registration link:  https://lnkd.in/gQbP53Zd

Understanding ADHD Diagnoses Across the Lifespan: Challenges, Interventions, and Implications Presenter: Brent Moore, PhD, MBA Thursday October 10th from 12-1pm Central Time (US and Canada) Description: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects individuals of all ages, presenting challenges in academic, social, and occupational spheres. This presentation seeks to provide a comprehensive exploration of ADHD diagnoses, considering the evolving understanding of the disorder in both children and adults. The presentation will encompass assessment methods, challenges in diagnosis, and evidence-based interventions for improved functioning and quality of life. This presentation aligns with current research, emphasizing the need for a lifespan perspective in understanding ADHD. By addressing the multifaceted nature of ADHD diagnoses, from symptom recognition to evidence-based interventions, participants will gain valuable insights into fostering positive outcomes for individuals across various life stages. The goal is to equip educators, healthcare professionals, and mental health practitioners with practical knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of ADHD diagnoses and provide effective support for those affected by the disorder. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfHttC9 #MentalHealthKC #MetroCouncilWebinars

Metro Council hosts educational webinars on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Did you know we have previously recorded webinars on our YouTube Channel? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel today and you'll never miss out when a new webinar is posted. https://lnkd.in/gW5n8kqw ALSO-- We will have a webinar THIS THURSDAY at NOON focused on ADHD -- stay tuned for registration info posted soon! #MentalHealthKC #MetroCouncilWebinars