42nd Annual Conference Workshop Sessions
We have multiple tracks for our conference this year, covering a multitude of important, relevant topics. Times, titles, and descriptions may be subject to change, so check our conference website for the most recent updates!
Plenary Sessions
The Mental Health Research Landscape: What You Need to Know
Presented by: Ken Duckworth, NAMI
This presentation will be reviewing the latest developments in research to include the AMP Schizophrenia Project, review of the new FDA decisions on MDMA, KAR-XT, and the upcoming clozapine meeting. Dr. Duckworth will also review the NAMI Research Award event.
You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers: Solutions to Help You Heal
Presented by: Christine Crawford, NAMI
This talk will share practical advice for caregivers on how they can more effectively support the mental health of the children in their lives. Attendees hear directly from the author of You Are Not Alone for Parents and Caregivers who will share insights from her book which focuses on youth mental health.
Mental Health Advocacy for 2025: What to Expect with Upcoming Policy
Hear from NAMI National, NAMI Maryland, advocacy partners, and legislative leaders about the progress NAMI has made this year to address racial health disparities, increase funding for mobile crisis units, create important mental health check-in programs and protecting important telehealth expansions.
Do Not Pass Me By: Suicide in Black Communities
Presented by: Dr. Aliya Jones, Luminis Health
This special presentation will dive into the unique cultural, social, and systemic factors that contribute to suicide in black communities. It will also discuss the importance of culturally competent care and community support networks in prevention efforts.
You, Me and My (Mental) Illness
Presented by Mary Rose Madden
NAMI Maryland is partnering with local journalist and audio producer, Mary Rose Madden, to bring you a brand new podcast about living with mental illness – and the community around you. Join this session to hear a sneak peak of this podcast and a one-on-one interview with Mary Rose Madden. You, Me and My (Mental) Illness is sure to become a vital part of your mental health toolkit – bringing NAMI Maryland through your car stereo, the kitchen speaker or your headphones.
Workshop Sessions
The Maryland Tobacco Control Resource Center: Breaking the Habit in Behavioral Health
Presented by: Melanie Bennett and Nebyat Tesfa, University of Maryland School of Medicine
The Maryland Tobacco Control Resource Center (MTCRC) presents a training program aimed at helping behavioral health providers address tobacco treatment with their mental health and substance use clients. Trainees will receive background information on the risks and commons myths of smoking in behavioral health populations, learn current best practices for nicotine replacement & other pharmacotherapy, and learn strategies for talking with clients in helpful ways about smoking and quitting.
Cover My Mental Health -- Resources for Overcoming Insurance Obstacles to Care
Presented by Joe Feldman, Cover My Mental Health NFP
Individuals encountering insurance obstacles and denials rarely push back. Clinicians are also conditioned to accept “no” for an answer when it comes to mental health and substance use disorder care. Cover My Mental Health is a not-for-profit providing individuals with no-cost, actionable tools toward overcoming insurance obstacles to mental health and substance use (MH/SUD) care. The presentation will introduce those tools and encourage patients and providers that insurance obstacles to care can be overcome.
Essential Conditions of Healthy Living
Presented by: Dr. Alexander Chan, University of Maryland Extension
This presentation will cover the economic, social, and behavioral factors that contribute to present-day health conditions, especially substance misuse. There will be an emphasis on understanding how stigma influences health at multiple levels and how common sense harm reduction practices can prevent unnecessary deaths.
LGBTQ+ People in the Mental Health System: Strengths & Stigma
Presented by Alicia Lucksted, University of Maryland
Conference organizers asked me to present a session covering a number of topics at the intersection of LGBTQ+ identities and the mental health system, including resources for reliable core information, why many people have difficulties with diversity around gender and sexuality, myths and misconceptions, how stigmatization negatively impacts the mental health and recovery of LGBTQ+ people, and ways we can all be allies.
Transition House…Unique Model including Mental Health Supports
Presented by: Beth Albaneze, House Calls Total Wellness
This session will describe the mental health housing dilemma in the state for adults to senior citizens with emotional challenges. Session will describe this unique housing model and describe case directed wrap around resources for living within their own home,assisted living, group home or transition house residences. The adults with potential for independence or seniors needing more specialized 24/7 care is the focus.
Using the Stress Vulnerability Model to Strengthen Self-Awareness and Connections
Presented by Stephanie Lagalo, University of Maryland, Baltimore
The impact of stress on human beings manifests in many ways. Our own stress gets in the way of us forming and strengthening connections of all kinds. This workshop will focus on the latest research on the Stress Vulnerability Model and discuss how wellbeing impacts mental health, substance use, and relationships.
Participating in Mental Health Research
Presented by: Adam Culbreth, University of Maryland, Baltimore; Dr. Deanna Kelly, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
In the current presentation, we will provide a primer for participation in mental health research. Specifically, we will discuss what it means to participate in research, the benefits of participation, and the protections/safeguards that are in place to protect research participants in a variety of different types of study designs.
Social Skills Training: An Overview
Presented by Clare Gibson, VA Maryland Health Care System
A meta-analysis of controlled trials on Social Skills Training (SST) supports the efficacy of SST for improving psychosocial functioning (SST; Kurtz & Mueser, 2008). SST for Serious Mental Illness (Bellack et al, 2004) is an evidence-based and recovery-oriented practice for persons with serious mental illness (Dixon et al., 2010). This presentation will provide an overview of the key elements of SST and how providers are trained in the Veterans Health Administration.
Youth Gaming and Gambling, Is It a Problem?
Presented by: Heather Eshleman, The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
With the expansion of gaming and gambling activities in communities and on-line, how does it impact youth and young adults? This population is affected by gaming, gambling, and activities that include a mix of both in their daily lives. Discuss youth gaming, gambling, and the warning signs of problems with these activities. An overview of strategies to prevent youth problem gaming and gambling behaviors will be presented as well as resources for help.
Parent CRAFT: A Self-Directed and Evidence-Based Guidance for Caregivers Concerned About Youth Substance Use
Presented by Melissa Ambrose, Maryland Families and Youth Interventions for Substance Use
Caregivers and other adults concerned about an adolescent or transitional-age youth’s substance use often lack skills for encouraging the young person to make changes. This workshop will discuss a self-directed, web-based resource for caregivers, the evidence-based parent training course Parent CRAFT, free for use by all Marylanders. Workshop participants will learn about the Parent CRAFT model and how to access it, as well as ways the tool is being used in treatment and prevention settings statewide.
Leveraging Digital Solutions to Expand Mental Health Support to Underserved Communities
Presented by: Eric Sullivan, Uneo Health; Dr. Nikki Ham, Bowie State University
This presentation will explore the innovative use of digital solutions designed to support the behavioral health of younger consumers and their families. The session will spotlight implementation models including the use of digital solutions in community clinics supporting at-risk young adults and a multi-district roll-out of Prosper supporting thousands of at-risk teens and their families. We will demonstrate how digital solutions can simplify self-care of its users with gamification and simplified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and social emotional learning (SEL) tools.
Supporting the Mental Health of Children with Chronic Illness and Their Families
Presented by Paige Seegan, PhD and Erika Chiappini, PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
The nature of pediatric chronic disease is complex and can often be accompanied by comorbid mental health problems. This presentation will highlight some of the unique challenges faced by children and their families, as well as ways to optimize patients’ mental and physical health outcomes.
Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowel, Healthy Bladder
Presented by: Amie Rein, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging
Incontinence in older women is a widespread but rarely discussed problem, as urinary and/or bowel incontinence affects over 60% of community-dwelling older U.S. women (14 million). Incontinence has a hugely negative impact on quality of life and is a significant cause of depression, isolation, falls, and nursing home placement and costs society over $30 billion each year, which is why a new evidence-based intervention showing dramatic lasting improvement is a key ingredient to older adult women’s health.
H-CAT (and the Law) Is On Your Side: Finding Understanding, and Using Your Health Benefits to Access Mental Health Care
Presented by Patricia Dorn & Rith Getachew, Maryland Insurance Administration
Getting mental health treatment covered by your health plan can be a challenge, but you have the right to access care and get coverage equality from your health plan. Learn about these coverage rights, including how to get approval to see providers you want. Meet experts from the Maryland Insurance Administration’s Health Coverage Assistance Team (H-CAT) who can help you and your family find, understand, and use health benefits to get the care you need.
Bridging the Gap: Digital Tools and Stories as Lifelines in Black Suicide Prevention
Presented by: T-Kea Blackman, Black People Die By Suicide Too
Suicide remains a taboo in the Black community, often misunderstood and wrongly seen as a ‘white people issue.’ However, suicide rates among Black individuals, especially youth, are on a troubling rise. This workshop will explore the historical context, barriers, and causes contributing to this crisis, along with using storytelling and digital peer support as vital tools to combat the increase in Black suicide rates.
The Clubhouse Model: Recovery Through Purpose and Relationships
Presented by Morgan Coleman, B’More Clubhouse
The Clubhouse Model is an effective, evidence-based model for mental health rehabilitation which is centered on authentic relationships and meaningful work. Hear how this model has been inviting people to rejoin the momentum of daily life around the world for over 70 years. Learn about the impact of B’More Clubhouse in Baltimore City and how you can support efforts to expand impact across Maryland.
The ASK Model for Cultural Responsiveness
Presented by: Melissa Ambrose, Maryland Families and Youth Interventions for Substance Use; Dr. Sylvia Huntley, National Center for School Mental Health
Developing cultural responsiveness is a continuous process rather than a destination. The ASK-Jordan Peer Recovery model is built on three key components: the first involves a set of questions you will ASK yourself; the second includes ASK activities; and the third consists of questions you will ASK your peers to enhance the delivery of culturally responsive peer supports. This session serves as a foundation of the ASK Model.
Ask Me About My Mental Health
Presented by Sarah Crimmins, NAMI Maryland; Tevis Simon, Jordan Damon, Zak Sandler, NAMI Program Leaders
The stigma associated with mental health can make it difficult for individuals to be talk about their mental health. There is a need for families and providers to obtain deeper information and understanding of lived experience. This open Q and A will allow family members and providers a safe place to ask questions in an effort to increase awareness and decrease stigma.
Working with Families in Crisis
Presented by: Shareese Strong & Monique Owens, NAMI Maryland Ambassadors
Working with Families in Crisis is an educational presentation designed for family members, partners, friends, and caregivers of individuals living with mental health conditions. The presentation aims to provide participants with essential information, skills, and support to better understand and navigate the challenges posed by mental illness within the family context.
NAMI In Our Own Voice: Sharing Our Stories
Presented by: Kathryn Young & Janie Silverman (Friday); Kellie Dominique Hudson & Shante Badson (Saturday)
NAMI In Our Own Voice presentations change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. This presentation provides a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it’s like to have a mental health condition.
NAMI Ending the Silence for Families and Caregivers
Presented by: Jeff Shultz & Kari Parreco, NAMI Program Leaders
This 1-hour presentation is for parents, guardians, and other family members of middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child and how to work with school staff.
NAMI Ending the Silence for Teachers and Staff
Presented by: Mary Lawal & Nicole Shackelford, NAMI Program Leaders
NAMI Ending the Silence for Staff is a one-hour presentation for school and organization staff members that covers topics related to mental health. The presentation is designed to help staff members: Understand mental health; learn how to approach students and work with families; and more.
Optimizing Evidence-Based Management of Depression and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents
Presented by: Dr. Barbara Howard, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and CHADIS, Inc.
It is crucial for providers to use evidence-based depression screening tools and guidelines for care. The GuideLines for Adolescent Depression (GLAD-OC) as well as the Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention provide guidance. CHADIS offers online screening and scoring, Motivational interview guides to encourage accepting treatment, automated visit notes to facilitate documentation. private web-pages with patient-specific education and resource links, and a closed loop referral system with online consent for data sharing and follow up monitoring.
Patient Not Prisoner: How Crisis Intervention Saved My Life
Presented by: Melissa Owens
In her ongoing effort to reduce the number of people living with mental illness from entering the criminal justice system, Melissa shares her personal story of living with bipolar illness and focus specifically on one of her acute psychotic episodes by describing in detail the vast array of disturbing symptoms. Attendees will view of video of her experiencing psychosis and analyze the symptoms of a severe manic episode. Melissa also describes the essential role of the local Crisis Intervention Team in providing the support that helped her.
Health Coverage for Behavioral and Mental Health Services
Presented by: Jenny Garrison, Mental Health Connection
This workshop will provide a deeper look at what health insurance plans offer for mental and behavioral health coverage and the legal consumer protections available. Resources and contacts will also be shared so that your community members can get the access and support needed with their coverage.
Radical Ideas: Supporting First Responders’ Mental Health
Presented by: Adrienne Augustus, City of Hyattsville Police Department
In 2021, the City of Hyattsville Police Department in Prince George’s County launched a groundbreaking program requiring all police, dispatchers and administrative staff to meet with mental health professionals four times a year. So how did it go? Meet the Peer who designed and manages the program, and learn about the development, support, funding, and feedback provided by the officers and dispatchers. And, hear the exciting new changes to this innovative initiative that impact the entire community.
