Please contact Event Coordinator for Registration details as the deadline date is passed
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2023 LACDMH Faith-Based Mental Health Conference

Building Bridges of Wellness and Connecting Diverse Communities

Date & Time

05/23/2023 07:30 AM - 04:10 PM In-Person

Place

Convention Center-Concourse Hall (EF)
1201 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles 90015
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Deadline Date

5/23/2023 or when capacity is reached

ORGANIZER

Elmer Ornelas
eornelas@dmh.lacounty.gov

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER INFORMATION

 

 

MORNING KEYNOTE: 

"Spirituality, Mental Illness and Addiction: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in Our Families and Communities"

Keynote Speaker: Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W. 

 

Dr. Marvin J. Southard is currently a Professor of Practice of Social Work at the University of Southern California and was the Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for 17 years from 1998-2015. As the keynote speaker, Dr. Southard will provide insight on how the pandemic, social media, divisiveness, and lethal street drugs significantly impede spiritual growth among individuals and families experiencing mental illness and addiction. His message will restore hope and provide guidance for a healthier future.

 

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE PANEL:

"Bridging Faith and Mental Health to Address the Suicide Pandemic: Facts, Faith and Hope”

Moderators: James Coomes, LCSW

Panelist: Reverend Tera Landers, Throop Unitarian Universalist Church

Panelist: Rabbi Susan Goldberg, NEFESH

Panelist: Father German Sanchez, St. Sebastian Parish’s multicultural

Panelist: Pastor Andrea Humphrey, Ed.D., CEO, IQ Training Inc.

Panelist: Shaykh Suhail Mulla, Resident Scholar, Islamic Society of West Valley

 

Suicide prevention and intervention training is often limited during religious professional education with most clergy gaining experience on the job. This diverse panel will discuss their personal suicide training experiences and share how their lived experience guides them when responding to suicide in their professional role. This lived experience could help shape suicide training and education curriculum for future generations of religious professionals.

 

Description

The 2023 LACDMH Faith-Based Mental Health Conference: Building Bridges of Wellness and Connecting Diverse Communities focuses on how the integration of spiritual practices and mental health services can strengthen individual and family mental wellness. This Free event provides training and opportunities to talk about how spiritual and mental health practices can come together to address addiction, homelessness, rising suicide rates, and other critical issues impacting communities, especially communities of color, throughout Los Angeles County. Conference workshops include building bridges between psychology/psychiatry and religion, faith leaders and the LGBTQIA2S+ communities, integrating spirituality and mental health services to support pregnant and parenting teens, and addressing the gap between faith-based institutions and youth from marginalized communities.

 

Parking Instructions: 

How to get to LA Convention Center

Must present EventsHub E-Ticket for FREE Parking in WEST HALL GARAGE (PICO BLVD ENTRANCE)

 

Target Audience: Faith-Based Leaders & Mental Health Professionals

 

FREE EVENT

Please contact Event Coordinator for Registration details as the deadline date is passed

Daily Agenda

23 May

Tuesday
Continental Breakfast, Registration and Native American Drumming Presentation: American Indian Counseling Center
  • 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Opening Remarks: Theion Perkins
  • 8:30 AM - 8:35 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Land Acknowledgment and Opening Interfaith Prayer
  • 8:35 AM - 8:40 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Opening Prayer: FBAC to determine speaker
  • 8:40 AM - 8:45 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Song in Korean, English and Spanish: Pastor Joshua Seung Nah
  • 8:45 AM - 8:50 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Introduction/Acknowledgement of Director and other present Dignitaries: Theion Perkins
  • 8:55 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Director Remarks and Introduction of the Keynote Speaker: Lisa Wong
  • 9:00 AM - 9:05 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Morning Keynote-Dr. Marvin J. Southard
  • 9:05 AM - 10:20 AM
Spirituality, Mental Illness and Addiction: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in Our Families and Communities
Description:

This presentation will outline the perennial ways in which faith and spirituality can assist families and communities with mental illness and addiction. Whether we experienced mental illness or not, our spiritual challenges are similar. Also addressed, are individual family members' spirituality challenges and approaches to manage these obstacles. It will describe “near enemies” that impede spiritual growth and mental health. Outlined will the ways in which those long-standing insights have been affected by issues such as the pandemic, greater lethality of street drugs, social divisiveness, workforce shortages and social media. Suggestions will be offered about ways in which families and communities might take action to cope with the situations we now face and prepare for a healthier future.

  • Speaker: Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W.
  • Room #: Concourse Hall (EF)
  • Capacity: 800
  • Continuing Ed: 1.50 CE / CEU
Morning wrap up, instructions: Move to Workshops and Lunch start time: Theion Perkins
  • 10:20 AM - 10:25 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Morning Workshops- Please Select One
  • 10:35 AM - 11:35 AM
Bridging Faith and/or Spirituality and Mental Health
Description: In this presentation, after a brief review of the historical tension between the ideas prevalent in psychology and psychiatry about religion, and mistrust by of these disciplines in faith communities, there will be a discussion on the specific elements that contribute to building a critically needed bridge between these two communities. Mental health practitioners will be exposed to a summary of existing research demonstrating the contributions that religion and spirituality make to the mental health of diverse communities, particularly among people of color. Members of communities of faith will learn about the emotional difficulties experienced by exemplars of faith, way to contextualize the importance of paying attention to mental health issues, in addition to spiritual beliefs and practices. By highlighting the neuroscience of psychiatric conditions, religious leaders will learn about ways to combat stigma, understand the importance of facilitating comprehensive treatment (including the use of psychotropics), and emphasize the need for a whole-person approach to reduce emotional distress. Through the referencing of religious worldviews as explanatory models for both mental distress and healing, religious leaders will gain a deeper understanding about the common ground with mental health practices and processes. Finally, spiritual struggles are present in all religious traditions and, when present, compound the severity of mental health symptoms and complicate treatment. A model of cooperation will be discussed.
  • Speaker: Carlos Fayard, PhD, Associate Professor, Chair, Psychiatry & Religion Program, Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Training and Community Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  • Room #: 502A
  • Capacity: 487
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
LGBTQIA2S+ and Faith: The Emotional & Mental Weight of Denied Sacred Spaces
Description: The intention of this workshop is to continue to build the bridge between mental health staff and faith leaders in their support of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities, foster a culture of understanding and acceptance of both communities, and expand the lens of commonality between all of God’s people… humanity! The course seeks to look at the conflict from an unbiased position and balance the needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ community against the basic rights and needs of any individual, regardless of sexual orientation. The learning objectives include informing participants of the mental, physical, social, and relational impact created by rejection and exclusion. Additionally we will examine the impact of shame, guilt, and the loss of familial relationships, and how clinicians and clergy can work together to build a bridge that fosters a healthy emotional and mental state. While the course is not exhaustive, it will provide relevant and achievable suggestions for bridging the gap and helping to provide safe spaces of co-existence.
  • Speaker: Andrea L. Humphrey, Ed.D., CEO, IQ Training Inc.
  • Room #: 511
  • Capacity: 242
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
Bridging Spirituality and the Maternal and Child Health-Creating a Village from the Beginning
Description: This 1-hour workshop, titled "Bridging Spirituality with Maternal/Child Health: Creating a Village from the Beginning," focuses on the integration of spirituality and mental health services to support the well-being of pregnant and parenting teens. Recognizing the vital role of spirituality in maternal and child health, the workshop aims to empower faith-based communities in building a nurturing environment for families from the outset. The early stages of life play a crucial role in shaping an individual's mental, emotional, and physical development, making it essential to provide a strong foundation for teen mothers and children. Through the workshop, participants will explore the impact of faith and spirituality on mental health, as well as the unique challenges faced by pregnant and parenting teens in need of maternal health supports and advocacy services. Attendees will learn about the alignment of faith and spirituality practices with professional mental health treatment modalities to create a comprehensive approach to mental well-being. The workshop will address the enhancement of the intersection between spiritual practices, mental, and maternal health supports for this population, identifying key factors that promote psychological resilience through faith and maternal health. Participants will be equipped with practical strategies and resources that complement the integration of faith, mental health, and maternal health, fostering holistic well-being for pregnant and parenting teens. By fostering collaboration and community-building, this workshop will empower faith-based communities to establish a village of support that contributes to improved mental health outcomes for pregnant and parenting teens. Through the intersection of spirituality and mental health services, attendees will learn to create a nurturing environment that promotes the growth and development of both teen mothers and their children.
  • Speaker: Dretona Maddox, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., B.S.N., RN-PHN, Founder and Executive Director, Purposely Chosen, Inc./Born for Nia Maternity Homes
  • Room #: 501
  • Capacity: 353
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
Faith and the Young Generation: Bridging the Generational Gap While Promoting Youth Wellbeing
Description: This presentation, explores the gap that exists between the stakeholders of Faith Based Institutions and youth from marginalized communities. This one-hour workshop will be part didactic and part interactive conversation where participants will ideate in real time with moderator and lecturer around enhancing Faith Based community stakeholders’ engagement with youth in our communities. The group will participate in critical discourse covering topics of the self-work needed to better engage, re-humanizing approaches of engagement, and methods for emotional health impact upon engagement when working with marginalized youth in our communities.
  • Speaker: Byron Young, M.D.
  • Room #: 503
  • Capacity: 242
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00
Social Media and Self Image: How Faith/Spiritual and Mental Health Can Support Positive Perspectives
Description: This training will begin with providing context to the birthing of the social media age as well as a brief history of how social media influences society and culture today. Participants will be provided with data on social media’s effects on mental health, self image, and emotional stability. The goal is to show the overall positive and negative results of an ever-changing cultural dynamic like social media in today’s culture. This training will also give practical spiritual applications and practices that can be combined with mental wellness resources to help combat the negative effects of social media. Upon completion of the information given, participants will then create their own self strategy that can be applied daily for their own mental wellness and spiritual practices. To finish the training, participants will take a post test to gauge their understanding of the provided information.
  • Speaker: Devon Johnson
  • Room #: 502B
  • Capacity: 487
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00
Will Not Attend
Description:
  • Speaker:
  • Room #:
  • Capacity:
  • Continuing Ed: 0
Lunch Blessing: FBAC to determine speaker
  • 11:45 AM - 11:50 AM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Lunch/Networking - Please select one
  • 11:50 AM - 1:05 AM
Lunch wrap up, instructions: Move to Workshops and Lunch start time: Theion Perkins
  • 1:00 PM - 1:05 PM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Afternoon Workshops- Please Select One
  • 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Bridging Faith and/or Spirituality and Mental Health
Description: In this presentation, after a brief review of the historical tension between the ideas prevalent in psychology and psychiatry about religion, and mistrust by of these disciplines in faith communities, there will be a discussion on the specific elements that contribute to building a critically needed bridge between these two communities. Mental health practitioners will be exposed to a summary of extant research demonstrating the contributions that religion and spirituality make to the mental health of diverse communities, particularly among people of color. Members of communities of faith will learn about the emotional difficulties experienced by exemplars of faith as a way to contextualize the importance of paying attention to mental health issues, in addition to spiritual beliefs and practices. By highlighting the neuroscience of psychiatric conditions, religious leaders will learn about ways to combat stigma, understand the importance of facilitating comprehensive treatment (including the use of psychotropics), and emphasize the need for a whole-person approach to reduce emotional distress. Through the referencing of religious worldviews as explanatory models for both mental distress and healing, religious leaders will gain a deeper understanding about the common ground with mental health practices and processes. Finally, spiritual struggles are present in all religious traditions and, when present, compound the severity of mental health symptoms and complicate treatment. A model of cooperation will be discussed.
  • Speaker: Carlos Fayard, PhD, Associate Professor, Chair, Psychiatry & Religion Program, Director, World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Training and Community Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  • Room #: 502A
  • Capacity: 487
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
LGBTQIA2S+ and Faith: The Emotional & Mental Weight of Denied Sacred Spaces
Description: The intention of this workshop is to continue to build the bridge between mental health staff and faith leaders in their support of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities, foster a culture of understanding and acceptance of both communities, and expand the lens of commonality between all of God’s people… humanity! The course seeks to look at the conflict from an unbiased position and balance the needs of the LGBTQIA2S+ community against the basic rights and needs of any individual, regardless of sexual orientation. The learning objectives include informing participants of the mental, physical, social, and relational impact created by rejection and exclusion. Additionally we will examine the impact of shame, guilt, and the loss of familial relationships, and how clinicians and clergy can work together to build a bridge that fosters a healthy emotional and mental state. While the course is not exhaustive, it will provide relevant and achievable suggestions for bridging the gap and helping to provide safe spaces of co-existence.
  • Speaker: Andrea L. Humphrey, Ed.D., CEO, IQ Training Inc.
  • Room #: 511
  • Capacity: 242
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
Bridging Spirituality and the Maternal and Child Health-Creating a Village from the Beginning
Description: This 1-hour workshop, titled "Bridging Spirituality with Maternal/Child Health: Creating a Village from the Beginning," focuses on the integration of spirituality and mental health services to support the well-being of pregnant and parenting teens. Recognizing the vital role of spirituality in maternal and child health, the workshop aims to empower faith-based communities in building a nurturing environment for families from the outset. The early stages of life play a crucial role in shaping an individual's mental, emotional, and physical development, making it essential to provide a strong foundation for teen mothers and children. Through the workshop, participants will explore the impact of faith and spirituality on mental health, as well as the unique challenges faced by pregnant and parenting teens in need of maternal health supports and advocacy services. Attendees will learn about the alignment of faith and spirituality practices with professional mental health treatment modalities to create a comprehensive approach to mental well-being. The workshop will address the enhancement of the intersection between spiritual practices, mental, and maternal health supports for this population, identifying key factors that promote psychological resilience through faith and maternal health. Participants will be equipped with practical strategies and resources that complement the integration of faith, mental health, and maternal health, fostering holistic well-being for pregnant and parenting teens. By fostering collaboration and community-building, this workshop will empower faith-based communities to establish a village of support that contributes to improved mental health outcomes for pregnant and parenting teens. Through the intersection of spirituality and mental health services, attendees will learn to create a nurturing environment that promotes the growth and development of both teen mothers and their children.
  • Speaker: Dretona Maddox, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., B.S.N., RN-PHN, Founder and Executive Director, Purposely Chosen, Inc./Born for Nia Maternity Homes
  • Room #: 501
  • Capacity: 353
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00 CE / CEU
Faith and the Young Generation: Bridging the Generational Gap While Promoting Youth Wellbeing
Description: This presentation, explores the gap that exists between the stakeholders of Faith Based Institutions and youth from marginalized communities. This one-hour workshop will be part didactic and part interactive conversation where participants will ideate in real time with moderator and lecturer around enhancing Faith Based community stakeholders’ engagement with youth in our communities. The group will participate in critical discourse covering topics of the self-work needed to better engage, re-humanizing approaches of engagement, and methods for emotional health impact upon engagement when working with marginalized youth in our communities.
  • Speaker: Byron Young, M.D.
  • Room #: 503
  • Capacity: 242
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00
Social Media and Self Image: How Faith/Spiritual and Mental Health Can Support Positive Perspectives
Description: This training will begin with providing context to the birthing of the social media age as well as a brief history of how social media influences society and culture today. Participants will be provided with data on social media’s effects on mental health, self-image, and emotional stability. The goal is to show the overall positive and negative results of an ever-changing cultural dynamic like social media in today’s culture. This training will also give practical spiritual applications and practices that can be combined with mental wellness resources to help combat the negative effects of social media. Upon completion of the information given, participants will then create their own self strategy that can be applied daily for their own mental wellness and spiritual practices.
  • Speaker: Devon Johnson
  • Room #: 502B
  • Capacity: 487
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00
Will Not Attend
Description:
  • Speaker:
  • Room #:
  • Capacity:
  • Continuing Ed: 0
Introduction and Remarks on Afternoon Plenary Panel: Martin Jones
  • 2:25 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Afternoon Closing Panel Closing
  • 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
BRIDGING FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH TO ADDRESS THE SUICIDE PANDEMIC: FACTS, FAITH, AND HOPE (AND Q&A)
Description:

There is limited formal training for religious professionals in issues related to suicide, and much of this training and experience comes from life experience and the need to respond to crises within our religious communities. We will be discussing your own experience of formal training as a religious professional to examine the following: whether components of suicide intervention, prevention, and/or postvention were included in that training; how you initially addressed suicidality in your professional role with the congregation or community in which you serve; and looking back, how these experiences could be shared with various seminaries and training programs to help future generations of religious professionals.

  • Speaker: Moderators: Moderators: James Coomes, LCSW; Panelist: Shaykh Suhail Mulla, Resident Scholar Islamic Society of West Valley; Pastor Andrea Humphrey, Ed.D., CEO, IQ Training Inc.; Rev. Tera Landers; Rabbi Susan Goldberg, NEFESH and Father German Sanchez, St. Sebastian Catholic Church
  • Room #: Concourse Hall (EF)
  • Capacity: 800
  • Continuing Ed: 1.00
Wellness/Mindfulness Wrap Up Activity: Chaplain Ruth Belonsky
  • 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Closing Remarks/Instructions for Evaluations and Certificates: Theion Perkins
  • 4:00 PM - 4:10 PM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description:
Closing Prayer: FBAC to determine speaker
  • 4:10 PM - 4:15 PM
Location: Concourse Hall (EF)
Description: