Early Bird Registration Available for 2nd Annual Behavioral Health Symposium

Uvalde Memorial Hospital (UMH) is hosting the second annual Behavioral Health Symposium on May 5that SSGT. Willie De Leon Civic Center. Led by the UMH Crossroads program, this all day event is one of a kind for the region, focusing on providing professionals, in a variety of fields associated with mental health in any capacity, with the knowledge and tools to continue improving their skills.

Mental health is a growing epidemic in the country and the State of Texas. In Texas alone, 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health concern this year, and twenty percent of children ages 9-17 have a diagnosed mental illness. With statistics like these, progress in fields related to mental health has the potential to change and save lives. This event is tailored for professionals, but also open to the public. Continuing education units (CEUs) will be awarded for nurses, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors and licensed counselor social workers.

Keynote speaker, Jim Denning, will begin at 8:30am. Best known as an urban survival specialist, stemming from his experience in navigating the demands of corporate life, Jim came to realize: the expectation that he ascends the ladder of success to become a leader, wasn’t aligned with who he really is. Jim changed the way he viewed his brain and himself and overcame a ‘treatment resistant’ prognosis after multiple mental health diagnoses. Denning is a licensed professional counselor, pastor, and published author.

Other topics discussed will be self-care for caregivers and professionals by Tiffany Culver, Ph.D., with Sul Ross State University, trends in mental health by Greg Hansch, BA, LMSW, with National Alliance on Mental Illness, identifying adverse childhood experiences and understanding and the impact on brain development led by Niki Henderson, M.Ed., LPC, with Uvalde CISD and transforming behavioral ehalth through the Medicaid 1115 and waiver and trauma informed care by Carol Huber, MBA, with University Healthy System and Teresa Thompson with Hill Country MHDD.

Following focus topics will be a speaker question and answer panel. Closing remarks and CEU certificates will be given at the end of the event at 4:30pm.

Early bird registration is now available. Registration cost will increase after April 1st.

Interested individuals can register and pay online by May 4th atwww.umhtx.org/events/BHS.Registration and payment by check is also accepted.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available and details can be found on the website: www.umhtx.org/events/BHS.