2022 Conference

Saturday 5th November: 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ADVOCATING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE/SOCIAL MEDIA – WORKSHOP

Speaker: Catherine Humenuk

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.

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?

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.

Sunday 6th November: In-person conference

In-person conference held at The League at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

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!

INCARCERATION AND MENTAL HEALTH - KEYNOTE

Speakers: Becca Pickus, Bear Tello

Learn about the intersection between the criminal legal system, incarceration and mental health.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

NETWORKING

Join everyone at the booth room to get the chance to speak with organizations for various opportunities and with other attendees!

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.

CLOSING KEYNOTE

Hear from the GenMH founder, Jackee Schess, to learn about her journey creating GenMH!