October 9th, 2014
Presented by:
National Alliance on Mental Illness of
Champlain Valley
SUNY Plattsburgh, Angel College Center
About
In 2013, The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Champlain Valley,
with permission from the State Office of Mental Health set aside money to offer
a 1 of a kind opportunity to Clinton County Residence in 2014. Without
hesistation we vowed to make this October, bigger and better than it ever has
been; we made a commitment to to put together a conference where we would
embrace recovery; and provide learning opportunities for peers (those affected
with mental illness), families, providers and the community at large.
In the early Spring of 2014, a committee that consisted of peers, family
members and community providers began to sit down and discuss ideas
surrounding a conference that would embrace the concept of recovery. After
much research, the committee decided that it would incorportate the 1999 hit
movie “The Soloist” into the conferece. The movie depcits the life story of cello
prodigy Nathaniel Anthony Ayers; a gifted musician who also suffers with
Schizophrenia.
Nathaniel’s story was brought to the forefront by a journalist; his story
mirrors the life of many people affected by mental illness; and it is because of
this that we choose several themes to highlight during the conference. 1.
Homelessness; according to the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, on a given night in 2012, nearly 40 percent of the homeless
population had serious mental illness or conditions related to chronic
substance abuse. 2. Challenging and confronting stereotypes 3. The keys that
are necessary for society’s acceptance 4. The interaction between Journalism
and Social Justice 5. Creative Arts fostering Recovery, and last, yet most
importantly, 6. Dreams and Aspirations.
We bring to you a full day of opportunities. An opportunity to put
yourself in someone elses’ shoes, an opportunity to learn, and an opportunity
to believe that we all hold a Key to Recovery.
Schedule
7:30-8:15 am -- Registration
Those that are pre-registered must confirm attendance. Reminder, lunch is free to
the first 250 register (including those who pre-registered)
8:30-8:45 am -- Welcome and Opening Remarks
Theresa Bennett, NAMI President
Catherine Harrison-Wurster “A musical introduction”
Warren Ballrooms
8:45-9:45 am -- Key Note Address
Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness
Jennifer Ayers- Moore, Professional Speaker & Family Member
Warren Ballrooms
9:45-10:00 am -- Break and Exhibits (morning refreshments)
2nd Floor Lobby
10:00 – 11:00 Workshops I
A: The Therapeutic Effects of Music, a hand on presentation.
Kevin Lewis, Musician
Amnesty Room
B: Dual Diagnosis; Hope and Recovery (a panel).
Paul Lamora, Clinic Director of Champlain Valley Family Services, Dennis King,
Recovery Coach of Champlain Valley Family Services, Chris Arnold,
Rehabilitation Practitioner of Behavioral Health Services North, and Bernice
Duquette, PROS Program Participant.
Cardinal Lounge
C: “What’s new at The Office of Mental Health”
Dr. Anne Sullivan, NYS Office of Mental Health Commissioner
Warren Ballroom B
D: The Connection between Mind, Body and Spirit.
Tom Phillips, Eclectic Energy Worker
Alumni Conference Room
11:00-11:15 am Breaks and Exhibits
2nd Floor Lobby
11:15-12:15 pm Workshops II
A: The Therapeutic Effects of Drumming
Chrys Ballerano, NYS Coalition against Sexual Assault
Amnesty Room
B: Ask the Dr.
Presenter TBA
Warren Ballroom B
C: Humanizing Homelessness
A collaborative approach by ETC and Clinton County Department of Social
Services
Alumni Conference Room
D. Respect
Joel Slack, Founder of Respect International
Cardinal Lounge
E. Tai Chi
Naomi Bradshaw, Instructor
2nd Floor Lobby
12:15-1:30 Lunch (Orchestra Music, presented by Doomstar)
Warren Ballroom A
1:30-2:30 pm Workshops III
A: Wellness, Self-Care and Management
Crystal Carter, Clinton County Office for the Aging
Amnesty Room
B: Our Stories of Hope (a peer panel)
Cardinal Lounge
C: Engaging Dysfunction Language
Aaron Schwartz, Graduate Intern at the SUNY Plattsburgh’s Center for Diversity
Pluralism and Inclusion
Alumni Conference Room
D: Food That Harms the Body
Debra Dahler, Doctor of Naturopathy at the Ganienkeh Wholistic Center
Warren Ballroom B
E. Tai Chi
Naomi Bradshaw, Instructor.
2nd Floor Lobby
2:30-3:30 pm Workshops IV
A: Healing through the Arts: A Glimpse at the Power of Photography
Penelope Clute, Artist,
Mandi Swank, Photo Project Participant
Cardinal Lounge
B: Sharing Our Wisdom (family panel)
Amnesty Room
C: Trauma Informed Care
Chrys Ballerano, NYS Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Warren Ballroom B
D: The Interaction Between Journalism and Social Justice
Suzanne Moore of the Plattsburgh Press Republican
Alumni Room
3:30-345 pm Break and Exhibits
2nd Floor Lobby
3:45-4:45 PM Keynote Address
Respect
Joel Slack, Founder of Respect International
Warren Ballroom