3rd Annual: Mental Health & the Church Conference

Sing a new song & celebrate World Mental Health with us. Celebrations kick off on October 10th and the Conference is October 29, 2022 @ Palm Beach Atlantic University- Gregory Hall Auditorium.

Wellness starts with us! It's time to take a break to get recharged and empowered at the 3rd annual "Mental Health & the Church" Conference.

This conference is focused on healing, support, and overcoming mental health stigma.

We are connecting families, therapists, and faith leaders to sing a new song of a life, hope, and joy!

This free event includes breakfast, lunch, empowerment gift bag, yoga mat from the Flawless Foundation, powerful speakers, panel sessions, and live entertainment.

Guest Speakers include:

Commissioner Cathleen Ward https://www.wpb.org/government/city-commission

Commissioner Shalonda Warren https://www.wpb.org/government/city-commission

State Representative Jervonte Edmonds https://jervonteedmonds.com/

Lisa Johnson, NAMI Board Member https://healthiertogetherpbc.org/our-communities/healthier-neighbors/

Lauren Zuchman, Executive Director https://www.bewellpbc.org/our-teams/

Janette Marshall, Healthier Together Executive Director https://healthiertogetherpbc.org/our-communities/healthier-neighbors/

Dr. Philip Henry, PBA Professor of Counseling https://www.pba.edu/directory/henry-philip.html

Sarah Claire Smith, LMHC https://www.sarahclairecounseling.com/about

Marcken Volmy, EMDR/Trauma Specialist https://www.bedrockcounseling.com/

Pablo Del Real, Mindfulness Educator https://www.theway.education/

Healing Drum Circle:

Abasi Hanif https://www.norton.org/events/free-on-the-lawn-drum-circle-with-abasi-hanif-copy-07-06-2022

Organizational Highlights include:

BeWellPBC, NAMI PBC, Healthier Together, Protective Factors Group, The Way Mindfulness Education, and more!

Sponsored by BeWellPBC https://www.bewellpbc.org/

iGuide Download the official #FaithAndTherapy "Mental Health & the Church" free THRIVE iGuide: https://www.dmempowers.com/post/thrive-inspiration-guide-to-connect-faith-mental-health-communities

The pandemic has, and continues to, take its toll on our mental health, the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.

Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being; a staggering 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021. We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.

Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.

Source: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022