2024 Resilience & Wellbeing Summit

Reggie D. Ford shares a deeply personal journey of overcoming intergenerational and normalized trauma to advocate for mental health awareness and action. Drawing from his own experiences and extensive research on developmental trauma, Reggie delivers a compelling narrative that underscores the critical need for trauma-informed practices and crisis prevention strategies in our communities.

With raw vulnerability and captivating storytelling, Reggie guides his audience through the complexities of his own journey, illustrating the transformative power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Through his lived experiences, he sheds light on the often-overlooked impact of trauma on mental health, challenging societal norms and stigmas surrounding psychological well-being.

Intertwining personal anecdotes with evidence-based research, Reggie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health with the same diligence as physical health. He calls for a cultural shift towards greater awareness, compassion, and support for individuals navigating their own mental health challenges.By sharing his story and insights, Reggie inspires his audience to engage in open dialogue, foster empathy, and take proactive steps towards creating environments that promote mental wellness.

We are very grateful to Mental Health Disability Services of the East Central Region for premier sponsorship of this event and for recognizing the importance of making quality professional development accessible to providers across the region.

The mission of the ECR is to collaboratively strengthen the regional network of quality and accessible supports to meet the needs of adults and children with disabilities. To learn more about ECR, visit ecriowa.org.

May is national Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Tanager, we believe it is our duty to provide everyone the opportunity to increase their personal awareness of mental health, gain knowledge to become an advocate for mental health change, and try out new activities or practices that can help increase personal mental wellbeing.

This year, we are celebrating with the theme Nourish to Flourish Your Mind. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start when you want to improve mental wellness, but it doesn’t have to be. By Nourishing yourself daily and supporting those around you to engage in regular practices of self-care, you can Flourish!

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