HYBRID CONFERENCE: November 5-6th 2022
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Scroll down to view the conference schedule for 2022.
Please note, the below timings are noted in Eastern time (EST).
Saturday 5th November (9:00am - 3:40pm): Virtual Conference
Welcome Session
Hear from the GenMH leadership about the vision for the conference as well as get crucial information from the conference team about how to get the most out of the conference.
9:00am - 9:15am
THE POWER OF AND TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO SHARE YOUR STORY – KEYNOTE
Speaker: Abdul Samad Haidari
This keynote presentation will explore the methods and skills we can use to share our stories in creative ways. We focus on the power of our words and the positive impacts we can make for our community, but also for ourselves.
9:20am - 10:15am
10:25am - 11:25am
YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE FOREFRONT OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH – PANEL
Speaker: Isaac Olufadewa, Abigael Ndizi Kavithu, Mwanaisha KuwaniaU
Join young people from around the world to hear about new directions in community mental health to respond directly to people’s needs. We are excited to highlight youth who are engaged in trauma-informed, peer support and other approaches to decolonizing mental health.
10:25am - 11:25am
MINDFULNESS – WORKSHOP
Speaker: Dr. Eric Ottinger
Join Dr. Ottinger for an introduction to mindfulness as an evidence based practice in behavioral health and the growth of mindfulness practice across multiple health care settings. Gain a greater understanding of how learning and practicing mindfulness benefits your mental and physical health and engage in instructor-led mindfulness exercises and guided discovery of the mindfulness practices.
11:35am - 12:35pm
CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN MENTAL HEALTH – PANEL
Speakers: Shuranjeet Singh, Saadia Ali, Juan Acosta, Krystle Canare
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities have a unique experience in the way we wade through conversations about mental health. In this panel, we explore how differing cultural standards and backgrounds affect the way we talk about mental ill-health and psychosocial disability. We will hear from young advocates working with BIPOC communities, the strategies that they have found effective, and how you might go about mental health advocacy as a member of the BIPOC community or an anti-racist ally.
11:35am - 12:35pm
YOUTH ADVOCACY FOR MENTAL HEALTH – PANEL
Speakers: Sarah Barsis, Risako Mizuyama, Lia Darmer, Mikah Rector-Brooks
At this panel, hear from young people across the world who fight for mental health rights and awareness. We will explore the successes and limitations of student and youth movements, the challenges these advocates have faced, and how they move forward to make change.
11:35am - 12:35pm
BREAK
12:35pm - 1:15pm
1:15pm - 2:15pm
THE ARTS AS A MODE OF HEALING – PANEL
Speakers: Jo Villafañe, Nora Krinitsky, Mona Rakhawy, Stefania Luciani
For many of us, one of the healthiest ways to express emotions and deal with struggle is through arts. Whether through music, painting, sculpting, or other tasks, people everywhere are able to find ways to express themselves through art. Hear from artists about how they use art for personal healing and for community advocacy.
1:15pm - 2:15pm
CLIMATE CHANGE AND MENTAL HEALTH – KEYNOTE
Speaker: Richard Beck
Learn about the intersection between climate change and mental health. Why is it important to learn more about climate change? How does climate change affect out mental health?
2:20pm - 3:15pm
Final Remarks and Climate Mental Health Network Short Films
The Climate Mental Health Network addresses the mental health consequences of climate change through community engagement and harnessing multi-sector collaboration across academic, environment, media, technology, and social justice. The fiscal sponsor is the Global Fund for Mental Health.
3:20pm - 3:40pm
Sunday 6th November (9:30am - 4:30pm): In-person conference
In-person conference held at The League at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Snacks and beverages will be provided
Throughout the whole conference, we will have various booths with many University of Michigan-based and local mental health organizations. The booths are a great opportunity to learn more about advocacy and network with some amazing young advocates.
Welcome Session
Hear from the GenMH conference team about how to get the most out of this event, as well as what this journey has been like for them!
9:30am - 10:00am
INCARCERATION AND MENTAL HEALTH - KEYNOTE
Speakers: Becca Pickus, Bear Tello
Learn about the intersection between the criminal legal system, incarceration and mental health.
10:10am - 11:00am
JOURNALING – WORKSHOP
Speaker: Kellie Carbone
Join us for a collaborative experience wherein you will learn how to apply mindfulness thinking skills in their journaling process, spend some time in the workshop winding down and applying the skills learned, then eventually voluntarily sharing their thoughts and what they have learned with other workshop attendees.
11:15am - 12:15pm
DISABILITY RIGHTS AND JUSTICE ON CAMPUS – PANEL
Speakers: Ann Jeffers, Allen Sheffield, Jackee Schess, Dylan Secord
Did you know that psychosocial disability is included in the Americans with Disabilities Act? This means that those of us dealing with mental health challenges in school may be eligible for disability accommodation support. We discuss the disability accommodations process at UMich, as well as the pros and cons of this model and what moving to inclusive communities and disability justice would look like.
11:15am - 12:15pm
BREAK
12:15pm - 1:15pm
ADVOCACY IN MICHIGAN FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES – WORKSHOP
Speaker: Mark Creekmore
This presentation will contextualize advocacy for mental health services which addresses the serious workforce shortages. These shortages have been exacerbated partly by the recent pandemic. The demand for services has also increased simultaneously in several sectors which compete for workers. Workforce issues have caused some serious contraction of essential treatment services in the mental health, health, education and justice sectors. We will discuss advocacy strategies which you can take as students and users of mental health services.
1:30pm - 2:30pm
SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH – PANEL
Speakers: Matt Statman and 4 Students from the Collegiate Recovery Program
At this panel, we will hear from speakers who have experienced substance use to discuss the intersection of substance use and mental health, current programs and policies that aid those who use substances, and opportunities for advocacy for better drug policy.
1:30pm - 2:30pm
NETWORKING
Join everyone at the booth room to get the chance to speak with organizations for various opportunities and with other attendees!
2:30pm - 3:30pm
ENVISIONING CHANGE – WORKSHOP
Speakers: Jackee Schess
Join Jackee, GenMH Founder, in this workshop focusing on envisioning change and setting goals for mental health advocacy. If you are passionate about mental health and looking for an opportunity to flesh out your next steps, this is the workshop for you.
2:45pm - 3:45pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE
Hear from the GenMH founder, Jackee Schess, to learn about her journey creating GenMH!