Mental Health America: Centennial Conference

Agenda

For complete information on the Conference, download the Conference Registration Guide

Wednesday, June 10th

  • Welcoming Breakfast
  • Consumer Scholarship Winner Orientation
  • Affiliate Development Institute with Lunch (This session is limited to staff and board members of Mental Health America Affiliates.  To see if your organization is an affiliate, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/searchMHA)
  • First-Time Attendee Orientation 
  • Advocacy Briefing and Training
  • Opening Night Reception

Thursday, June 11th

  • Breakfast
  • Capitol Hill Kick-Off
  • Visits with Congress members - To schedule your meetings, please call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senators' and Representatives' aide who covers mental health issues.  Ask to meet with the member on Thursday, June 11.  If he or she is unavailable, please set up a meeting with the aide.  You may want to schedule your meeting for after 9:30 a.m. so that you can attend our Capitol Hill Kick-Off session that morning.  Once your visits are set, please email Julio Abreu with your appointment information at jabreu@mentalhealthamerica.net so that we can coordinate this crucial effort!
  • CMHS Caucus
  • Centennial Gala (Attendance requires a separate ticket which can be purchased through our online registration site) - Mental Health America will be holding a star-studded, inspirational Gala to further celebrate our 100th Anniversary at the historic Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.  Luminaries including Mrs. Tipper Gore and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will be in attendance to honor Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Pete Domenici (R-NM) with the first-ever Mental Health America Legacy Award.  CBS News Correspondents, Kimberly Dozier and Chip Reid will emcee the event.

Friday, June 12th

  • Breakfast
  • Morning Session: "Celebrating the Legacy, Forging the Future"
  • Plenary:  "American's Opinions on Health Care" - What did we learn from this past Presidential election about trends in our country, where voters stand regarding health care and the values they hold – and most importantly, how does that inform our education, advocacy, and policy work today?  A panel of pollsters, policy analysts and public relations gurus will explore these questions, provide insights, and more.  Insights from the nation’s experts you won’t want to miss.
  • Plenary:  "Health Care Reform: Forging the Future" - As the new Administration and Congress tackle the enormous challenges facing the nation, how are they addressing reform of the Nation’s health care and ensuring mental health care and services are integral to those reform efforts, especially in a troubled economic climate?  Mental Health America will convene a roundtable of inside players to discuss reform efforts, legislative proposals and plans for implementation of mental health parity.  
  • Keynote Luncheon: "A Conversation with George Stephanopoulos" 
  • Breakout Sessions 1
  • Plenary:  "Innovations in Research and Treatment" - In the last two decades, researchers and scientists have made significant advances in prevention, services and treatments for mental health disorders.  In this session, the worlds leading experts, and key policy makers, will explore the advances we've made and provide insights into how best to best forge the future direction for mental health. 
  • Breakout Sessions 2
  • Evening on your own

Saturday, June 13th

  • Breakfast and Delegate Assembly
  • Plenary: "The Next Generation of Mental Health: Leadership and Technology" - Hear youth mental health leaders discuss their own experiences and address how their generation and future generations view mental health, how they frame education, provide support and seek out help.  We’ll also explore effective technologies, which are rapidly changing the landscape of education with consumer generated content on sites such as Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, and other Web 2.0 innovations.  Additionally, Mental Health America will present its mpower Award to one of the country’s most extraordinary youth advocates!
  • Plenary:  "Addressing the Mental Health Needs of America's Veterans" - U.S. military forces’ engagement in two wars and a global fight on terrorism has come at a considerable price. While Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has received the most media attention to date among returning veterans, they are also experiencing traumatic brain injury and increased rates of major clinical depression and anxiety disorders. Recognizing the growing implications of this problem, senior military, civilian and mental health leaders are engaged in multiple efforts to assess and address the needs of our returning soldiers and their families.  This panel will explore the mental health issues of veterans, servicemen and women, their families, efforts in communities, and the plans and programs needed today and tomorrow.
  • Media Awards Luncheon
  • Conference Close
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