DMH Office of Recovery Support Services Director Larson to
Give Keynote Address at Maryville Mental Health Conference
Gateway Regional Medical Center, faith-based provider Sacred Creations and Copper
Creek Christian Church have joined together to present "A Mile in My Shoes", a
mental health conference focusing on a range of timely issues such as suicide,
depression, cutting and other forms of self-abuse, post traumatic stress disorder as
well as other mental disorders. Common concerns such as getting professional help,
access to safe and secure housing and finding a job will also be covered. Says Larson,
“It’s critical that we recognize that despite the often tough challenges of living with
mental illness, recovery is not just a possibility but our expectation.”
AJ French, Sacred Creations volunteer executive director agrees but notes that there’s
no better person than Director Larson to drive it home. "She is an incredible speaker
[who] is doing this on her own time, as a contribution to our community and out of
the goodness of her heart."
Director Larson has a BA in psychology and religion from Illinois Wesleyan
University and has acquired a broad range of relevant experience in the social service,
child welfare and mental health fields. As a former mental health consumer and now
nationally recognized leader in the mental health recovery movement, she has spent
the past decade providing leadership, skills and consultation to further the
development of a recovery-oriented service delivery system within public mental
health systems.
“A Mile in My shoes” is open to the public but also welcomes psychiatric disability
professionals. Additionally, a special session for clergy members and ministry leaders
with Director Larson has been scheduled from 1 p.m. until 2:15 p.m.
Admission is free. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for registration (which is required), with
the event beginning at 9 a.m. at Copper Creek Christian Church, 2184 Vadalabene
Drive in Maryville. Call 618.251.9566 for reservations or questions.