F5 Project: Erasing Stigma

F5 Project: Erasing Stigma at work, home and in the community

The 1st Annual F5 Project Conference in Fargo, ND this October provides a forum for people with lived experience, researchers, practitioners, and advocates to discuss effective interventions to combat stigma and discrimination on individual, community, and social levels. The public stigma of mental illness, felony backgrounds, and addiction unfortunately endorse stereotypes and discriminate against people with lived experience.

Contact, connection, recovery, and purpose are possible when people witness the success stories of those with lived experience. Erasing stigma is not only for those who stereotype and discriminate, but for those who fall into the deep pit of self-stigma. The F5 logo has a double meaning; it’s not only the refresh key for those needing a second chance, but it also means those with mental illness, felony backgrounds, and addiction, can erase the self-stigma.

Keynote Speakers:

Ryan David Leaf

Ryan Leaf is an advocate for those struggling with mental and behavioral health issues and encourages audiences to transform the way we think about mental health issues and addiction. Ryan works to eliminate the mental health stigma and says, “asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.” The strong presence Ryan holds in a room is not just from his 6-foot-6 frame, but the impassioned commitment he has made to serve those who are struggling.

Before working with Transcend Recovery Community, he was one of the most promising collegiate football players of his time, and rivalled Peyton Manning for the Heisman trophy. In 1998, he was the number 2 pick in the NFL draft behind Peyton Manning. Ryan now travels across the United States speaking to communities about his story of recovery. Ryan’s experience captures the transparency and authenticity that Transcend Recovery Community is founded upon.

First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum

Kathryn Helgaas Burgum became First Lady on December 15, 2016, when her husband Governor Doug Burgum was sworn in as the 33rd Governor of North Dakota. Kathryn grew up in Jamestown, N.D. She earned her undergraduate degree in retail business at Arizona State University and a masters of business administration degree in human resources from the University of North Texas.

Her 25-plus year career in human resources and marketing has spanned many industries. Kathryn has donated her time and leadership to many charitable endeavors including at-risk women and children, animal welfare, visionary artists, and the arts.

Now, as First Lady, her priority is supporting and developing initiatives for fighting addiction in North Dakota’s communities.

Panel Discussion:

Leann Bertsch, Director of North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Dr. Lisa Peterson, Clinical Director of North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Pamela Sagness, Behavioural Health Division Director for the North Dakota Department of Human Services

Adam Martin, Founder of F5 Project