2010 Annual Conference to Explore Social Roles, Connections in Maintaining Health and Achieving Recovery
Conference , General Add commentsMental Health America’s 2010 Annual Conference will explore the importance of meaningful social roles and connections in maintaining health and achieving recovery.
The Conference, “Get Connected: Social Inclusion in Wellness and Recovery,” will bring together an exciting roster of thought leaders and nationally recognized experts who have forged the way for building inclusive communities through their research, innovative community programs and personal commitment.
The Conference will be held June 9-12 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. It provides a unique opportunity for people in the mental health field to connect with others who are committed to promoting an agenda that will improve health outcomes and drive down the tragically high rates of mental health and substance use conditions in the United States.
Social inclusion is an approach that builds on Mental Health America’s original vision. By building socially inclusive communities, we integrate prevention, treatment and recovery concepts as key ingredients of community well-being.
Conference speakers include: Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., Pamela Hyde, J.D., Larry Fricks, William Anthony, Ph.D., Thomas Nerney, J. David Hawkins, Ph.D., Margarita Alegria, Ph.D., and Pete Early.
Highlights of the Conference include:
§ Interactive panel sessions exploring issues from health disparities to health care reform
§ 15 breakout sessions highlighting the most effective social inclusion programs and philosophies
§ Advocacy training from policy experts
§ Documentary film screening
§ Book signings with authors Pete Earley and Steve Luxenberg
§ Musical entertainment from up-and-coming artist, Ashley Miers
§ Dedicated time for networking
The Conference each year brings together advocates, mental health professionals, leaders from business and government, mental health consumers, policy makers, and executives and staff from over 300 Mental Health America state and local affiliates to learn about critical issues in the behavioral health field and map strategies for collective action.
For more information on the Centennial Conference, including agenda, speakers and registration, please visit: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/conference2010/
Apr 29, 2010 at 9:52 PM I am glad to hear about Mental Health America's upcoming conference theme. While I will not be attending this year, the importance of relational growth is so important. One progressive resource I'm very grateful to have discovered is the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute. Their work is "based on the Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) of human growth, mental health and social-psychological development. The core RCT theory states that growth-fostering relationships are a central human necessity and chronic disconnection, whether on an interpersonal or societal scale, is the primary source of human suffering." I have found their publications to be quite helpful in supporting a deepened basis of understanding the relationship between the quality of interpersonal connections and mental health. I hope that others consider exploring their website and "works in progress" as this important issue gains increasing attention in the field. Hope you have a great conference!