8:00 am | Registration Opens
9:00 am | Opening Remarks
9:15 am | Opening Keynote by Kisha B. Holden, PhD, MSCR
10:15 am | Break
10:30 am | Breakout Session 1
11:30 am | Awards Luncheon
1:00 pm | Break
1:15 pm | Breakout Session 2
2:15 pm | Break
2:30 pm | Breakout Session 3
3:30 pm | Closing Keynote by Bryan Piatt
4:00 pm | Annual Meeting
4:30 pm | End

This year's conference will feature 18 breakout sessions, with sessions for individuals living with mental illnesses, family members, advocates, and professionals.

10:30-11:30am
The Impact of the Pandemic on Children and Youth - Presented by Jody Nelson of Change Inc. and Mark Sander of Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Public Schools

Foster Advocates: Fosters Speak Out - Moderated by Hoang Murphy of Foster Advocates

Mental Health Through a Cultural Lens - Presented by Comfort Dondo of Phumulani: Minnesota African Women Against Violence

2022 Legislative Session - Presented by Sue Abderholden, Elliot Butay, and Calvin Melloh of NAMI Minnesota

Optimizing Care for Early Stage Bipolar Disorder - Presented by Piper Meyer-Kalos of the University of Minnesota's Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Kate Miley of M Health Psychiatry Clinic

The Importance of Employment in Recovery - Presented by Vanessa Gallagher and Kari Olson Lleva of the Minnesota Individual Placement & Support Services State Team

1:15-2:15pm
LiveMore ScreenLess - Promoting Digital Wellbeing for and with Young People - Presented by Maree Hampton of LiveMore ScreenLess

Overview of Substance Use Disorder Services - Presented by Nway Linn of Wayside Recovery Center and Amelia Fink of State Of Minnesota’s Behavioral Health Division

Making Our Voices Heard: Voting Rights for All - Presented by Melissa Hensley of Augsburg University's BSW Program

Criminal Justice Reform - Presented by Elliot Butay of NAMI Minnesota, Ryan Flynn of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney John J. Choi, and KyleeAnn Stevens of the Minnesota Department of Human Services

The Impact of Gender-Affirming Care - Presented by Ryan Fouts of RECLAIM

Strategies for Self-Care - Presented by Catherine Christiansen and Danielle Thornton of NAMI Minnesota

2:30-3:30pm
Peer Specialists – Their Important Role - Presented by Shelley White of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Division

The Impact of War on Mental Health - Presented by Jesse Valentin of the Center for Victims of Torture and Jane Reilly of Stillpoint Engage

Juvenile Justice - Moderated by Elliot Butay of NAMI Minnesota and Presented by Neese Parker of Youthprise and Malaika Eban of the Legal Rights Center

Treatment Options and Supports for People Who Are Neurodivergent and Live with a Mental Illness - Presented by Elizabeth Reeve of HealthPartners, Licensed Psychologist Cindy Nollette, and Rachelle Hansen of Stepping Stone Clinic

Affiliate Meet-Up: Conversations with Affiliate Leaders - Facilitated by Dana Malan of NAMI Minnesota

Kisha B. Holden, PhD, MSCR
Dr. Kisha B. Holden has dedicated her career to encouraging mental health and well-being among ethnically and culturally diverse families through research, programmatic initiatives, and the development of innovative strategies for informing health policies. She has placed a special emphasis on addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented populations that are often overlooked, yet prevail in contributing to the myriad of health disparities. She aims to: (1) promote excellence in community-based clinical and translational mental health research, (2) develop innovative programs that improve accessibility of individuals to comprehensive healthcare, and (3) develop culturally centered, gender specific, resilience based prevention and intervention models for individuals at risk for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bryan Piatt
Bryan Piatt is a breathwork facilitator, yoga teacher and meditation guide. A former news anchor and reporter in the Twin Cities, Bryan is currently the host of the "Take What Serves. Leave the Rest" podcast - which is aimed at creating safe spaces to talk about mental health. Bryan has spoken at several companies and organizations, publicly sharing his journey with anxiety and OCD.

Tickets cost $100 for nonmembers and $65 for members. CEU credits cost an additional $20. Scholarships are available upon request. Contact Christine at publicawareness@namimn.org for more information.

CEU credit is available for social workers from the Minnesota Board of Social Work. We are also applying for CEU credit for LPCs and LPCCs from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, and for LMFTs from the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

It is the individual licensee's responsibility to ensure that this event meets their continuing education requirements.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available at several different levels. To become a sponsor, please contact Christine by October 10 at publicawareness@namimn.org.

Attendees are encouraged to park in the RiverCentre Parking Ramp which is located on Kellogg Boulevard and offers skyway access to Saint Paul RiverCentre.