Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping people across the country achieve and sustain mentally healthy lives, held their 2015 Annual Conference June 3-5 at the Hilton Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
This year’s theme was Intervention and Innovation Before Stage 4. This is inspired by the organization’s philosophy that like our physical health, mental health conditions should be diagnosed and treated before reaching a critical point. As with other diseases, mental illness symptoms should be addressed early on in order to properly create a successful treatment plan.
This year’s theme was Intervention and Innovation Before Stage 4.
More than 400 advocates, educators, researchers, and business and community leaders, as well as members of Congress, the administration and health professionals attended the conference to discuss the huge significance in identifying initial mental illness signs to ensure that individuals receive early intervention treatment. Identifying symptoms sooner than later can also help ensure that we evaluate innovations that may play a critical role in shaping the future of our mental health care system.
Counseling@Northwestern’s sponsorship of this conference continues its commitment to providing high-quality mental health services to help clients lead healthier, more empowered lives. We hope that the following summary of the conference using the hashtag #B4Stage4 will inspire mental health professionals in the counseling field.
Wednesday, June 3
Courage Wall at @MentalHealthAm 2015 Mental Health Conference. "I wish I had the courage to…" #B4Stage4 pic.twitter.com/3R51n77mzw
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 3, 2015
2015 Annual Conference Opening Session
President and CEO Paul Gionfriddo reviewed Mental Health America’s vision for the future of our nation’s mental health by focusing on “interventions” and “innovations.” He introduced Andy Faas, author of The Bully Trap—Bullying in the Workplace who stressed the importance of providing safe, inclusive workplace environments in order to counter bullying and reduce suicide.
Respect is a far more powerful motivator than fear (…) enabling employees to reach their full potential. – Andy Faas
Paul Giofriddo announced a $1 million partnership with the Faas Foundation to improve workplace wellness!
We're excited to announce a $1,000,000 partnership for #WorkplaceWellness with the Faas Foundation! #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/rMiTEcJ7Sq
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 3, 2015
95% of people who are severely bullied suffer from PTSD. – Andy Faas
U.S. Surgeon General VADM Vivek Murthy, M.D. specifically explained the significance of “before Stage 4″ when it comes to mental health and why his position in the nation’s conversation about reforming the mental health care system is so important. He urged everyone to remove the stigma around mental health conditions.
We can make America a better place for people with mental illness today and tomorrow. – Surgeon General Murthy
Surg Gen VADM Vivek Murthy, M.D "We need #mentalhealth care that is affordable, available, and acceptable. #B4Stage4 pic.twitter.com/co2Sr7tt3u
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 3, 2015
If we want to treat physical health it only makes sense to treat mental health as well. – Surgeon General Murthy
Special Presentation: This is My Brave
Founded by Jennifer Marshall and Anne Marie Ames
Performers:
Lexie Hayden performing Brave, originally by Sara Bareilles
Heather Coleman – essay
Niki Lynne Galvin – original song
Claudia Brown – humor essay
Gabbi Sulzer – poetry
Laurie Chuslo – essay
Mary Leaphart – cabaret song
Jennifer Marshall was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar disorder and recounts her life with mental illness, including hospitalization, and the healing process on her blog BipolarMomLife.com. She founded This is My Brave to empower others to live openly and share their diagnoses. Anne Marie Ames is a PR professional and feels like she has found her passion by helping to share individuals’ personal stories. This live presentation features heartfelt essays, original music, and poetry by those who live with or love someone with a mental illness and truly exemplifies the power of human connection.
"The only way out of this darkness is to shine a light on it." @ThisIsMyBrave #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/RrIX1X8gei
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 3, 2015
Take off your mask (…) you’re not alone. – Niki Lynne Galvin
I want to see you be brave #ThisisMyBrave #B4Stage4 pic.twitter.com/IudSq30YW6
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 3, 2015
Presentation: Deep Dive on Mental Health Issues
Speakers:
Capt. Mike Colston, director of Mental Health Program in the Clinical and Program Policy Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
Ben Selkow, filmmaker and producer of the documentary Buried Above Ground
Alivia Tagliaferri, author, documentary filmmaker, playwright, and advocate
Capt. Colston, Mr. Selkow, and Mr. Briggs led a discussion about the impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on those who have experienced traumatic events such as war, assault, an accident, or disaster and what the military is doing to combat this issue plaguing soldiers and veterans. Personal stories of PTSD experiences and recovery were shared during this session and participants were able to preview the powerful film Buried Above Ground, which is about the lives of Americans who battle with PTSD symptoms.
PTSD doesn’t sleep alone. – Capt. Colston
"We treat about 25% of our people before they get out. We are establishing transition coaches for all of them… pic.twitter.com/Ac4EGsFrPN
— Military Health (@MilitaryHealth) June 3, 2015
8% of [the] population at any given time has PTSD.
#BuriedAboveGround is amazing film @BenSelkow, thx for great #PTSD panel w CAPTColston @MentalHealthAm #B4Stage4Conf https://t.co/dZjsTU1W9u
— Alivia Tagliaferri (@AuthorAlivia) June 4, 2015
Check out the facebook page here
Thursday, June 4
Senator Murphy, "This is going to be the new dawn of America's approach to #mentalhealth" #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/KQ8IWVtwjc
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
Former WI legislator Sandy Pasch, award winner, remarked on need to address #racism & #poverty in MH #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/yj85aJYN0B
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
Presentation: Opening Plenary Session Speakers:
Dr. Tom Insel, director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Pamela Hyde, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Brandon Staglin, director of communications at the International Mental health Research Institution,One Mind Institute
MHA CEO Paul Gionfriddo led an incredibly relevant conversation with Dr. Insel, Ms. Hyde, and Mr. Staglin about the latest mental health science.
B4Stage4 is the essence of everything. – Dr. Insel
@NIMHgov, @samhsagov, and @IMHRObrain talk the latest in mental health #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/6RDjFQ1dEi
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
We need to treat health care issues above the neck the same way we treat health care issues below the neck. – Dr. Insel
Pamela Hyde of #SAMHSA: provide training and infrastructure like Zero suicide model #B4Stage4Conf @BeaconHealthOpt pic.twitter.com/nie9T7fpju
— Brad Lerner (@bradlerner) June 4, 2015
About 70% of people can be identified 2 years before a first psychotic episode.
Brandon Staglin (@IMHRObrain) discusses innovative cognitive training programs #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/X4iPABNs2O
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
Breakout Session: Advocacy in the Digital Age
Speakers:
Shana Glickfield, partner, Beekeeper Group
Brian Loew, CEO, Inspire
Did you know nearly one-third of the nation’s population gets its news from Facebook and that half of all social network site users have shared the news on their profiles? Ms. Glickfield and Mr. Loew stressed the importance of reaching fellow advocates where they are most likely to be found—online. Because social media allows for constant contact and live updates, it should be a platform used to engage discussions on policy and legislation. In this session, Glickfield and Loew shared best practices for building a community online and how social media truly is making a difference in mental health.
Have you heard of @teaminspire an online #mentalhealth support community of 4,700 members across 50 states? B4Stage4Conf #togetherwerebetter
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
Socialization is the best mental exercise!
Social media shifts power #activism #B4Stage4Conf
— Casey Dillon (@caseyd2) June 4, 2015
2015 Media Award Winners:
.@yochidreazen 2015 Media Award winner for his book "The Invisible Front" on military #suicide & #PTSD #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/GZ9WtUoM00
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
Nicole Nolan & @TomFarrey (@OTLonESPN) receive the Media Award for Sasha's Story #titleIX #suicide #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/x9GFpNBAI8
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
.@DoreenGentzler from @NBCNews accepts Media Award for Changing Minds project #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/FXPpa45v9P
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
Breakout Session: Suicide Prevention and Youth
Speakers:
Lynda Gargan, Interim Executive Director, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Doreen Marshall, Senior Director of Education and Prevention, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
David Bond, Vice President of Programs, The Trevor Project
Working everyday on the front lines addressing the issue of teen suicide and prevention, Ms. Gargan, Ms. Marshall, and Mr. Bond discussed how they are working to make a difference in this breakout session. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the CDC. This session covered the suicide prevention efforts being made by crisis center hotlines, screening programs available to at-risk adolescents, and research/educational programs that are available to those who have been affected by suicide.
We want to reduce the suicide rate by 20% over the next ten years. – Doreen Marshall
#AFSP's Doreen Marshall is speaking to the audience at #B4Stage4Conf! #SuicidePrevention pic.twitter.com/ZVWWwbhTYi
— Suicide Prevention (@afspnational) June 4, 2015
Seat belts save lives. So do airbags. Eliminating the inhibition of talking about suicide will save lives. – David Bond
Did you know the @TrevorProject was created after an academy award winning film about #LGBT youth and #suicide? #B4Stage4Conf
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
We teach kids to stop, drop, and roll. But no one teaches them the signs of mental illness. – Lynda Gargan
The #B4Stage4 documentary by Mental Health America (MHA) and ITN Productions premiered! Learn more here!
Did you enjoy the #B4Stage4 documentary premiere? Let us know your thoughts! @ITNProductions #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/CVrK3Enenu
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
Did you enjoy the #B4Stage4 documentary premiere? Let us know your thoughts! @ITNProductions #B4Stage4Conf pic.twitter.com/CVrK3Enenu
— MentalHealthAmerica (@MentalHealthAm) June 4, 2015
Great day of #innovation and learning about #intervention #prevention and #recovery for mental illness at #B4Stage4Conf thanks @B4Stage4!
— Counseling@NU (@CounselingatNU) June 4, 2015
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