Mental Health Association of CT: 2011 Symposium: Ideas for Innovation in Community Mental Health

The Mental Health Association of Connecticut hosts its 2011 Symposium:
Ideas for Innovation in Community Mental Health on November 8, 2011


Saint Joseph College, Carol Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities, Hoffman Auditorium in the Bruyette Athenaeum, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT

Full info is here.

Agenda:
8:30  Registration Opens (includes continental breakfast)
9:00  Welcome
9:15  Plenary Sessions 1 and 2
1:00  Lunch on Campus (included in the admission price)
2:00  Plenary Session 3
3:00  Reactions from Panelists
4:00  Adjourn

Presenters will invite participants to reconsider long-established paradigms of treatment to incorporate evidence-based ideas that give:
•    new insights into the use of psychiatric medications
•    new approaches to clinical care that heighten the decision making role for clients and
•    new models that address health and wellness in people with psychiatric illnesses.
 The content of our symposium will be relevant to many stakeholders.  Providers of service will receive new concepts that might guide their efforts in delivering quality patient-centered care.  Recipients of that care and their families will gather empowering information that will make their choices more informed.  Decision makers and funders who shape the delivery of care will hear stimulating and provocative perspectives that will put their leadership role in a new light.

The 2011 Symposium concludes with a panel discussion among key mental health leaders including David Shern, PhD, President and CEO of Mental Health America, Patricia Rehmer, MSN, DMHAS Commissioner, and William Halesy, Director of Behavioral Health, CT Department of Social Services,  who will share their reactions and insights into the potential implications and improvements for mental health care.

This program has been approved for 5 CEUs by the NASW - CT, and meets the continuing education criteria for CT social work licensure renewal.  Also approved for 5 hours CECs from the CT Certification Board; application pending CT State Medical Society.

Registration is $75.00 ($50.00 for contributing members of MHAC).

You can register online at with a major credit card or PayPal account, or contact Maryann Steele at 860-529-1970 or 800-842-1501, extension 16, or email her at msteele@mhact.org. Space is limited, so please register at your earliest convenience.

Speakers include:
Robert E. Drake, MD, PhD, is the Director of the New Hampshire Dartmouth Research Center.  Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. Drake has been the principle investigator or co-investigator in 35 research grants that focus on co-occurring illness, evidenced based practices, supported employment, shared decision making and other topics.  Dr. Drake will share his insights on an important new practice in healthcare.  The title of his presentation is "The Promise and Power of Shared Decision Making for Community Mental Health."

Larry Davidson, PhD, is the Director of the Program for Recovery and Community Health at Yale University.  A professor of psychology, Dr. Davidson is Senior Policy Advisor to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and is a prolific researcher and author.  Dr. Davidson will present "The Growing Evidence for Peer Support."

Robert Whitaker is the author of "Anatomy of an Epidemic".  Previous publications include "Mad in America," "The Mapmaker's Wife," and "On the Lamps of Gods," all of which won recognition as 'notable book of the year'.  Mr. Whitaker will talk about his investigative reporting which comprises his new book, "Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America."