One of the biggest barriers for people with mental illness is the stigma often associated with the services designed to help them, which is one of the driving forces behind the Erik Cogswell Memorial Conference. In addition to breaking through this stigma since it was first held in 2000, the conference has historically been based around a particular theme with this year’s focus on trauma and its relationship to mental health.
According to Patty Driscoll, adult services director at Seacoast Mental Health Center, which hosts the conference, attendees will learn the very latest regarding trauma-informed mental health care.
“Trauma is a near universal experience for individuals with behavioral health problems, which is often not recognized,” she said. “The good news is there are many evidence-based models to treat trauma, which our conference will help explain.”
While designed for all audiences, including those who access mental health services, family members, and the general community, she said one of the biggest objectives behind the conference is to educate professionals.
“We want to reach people within and outside the field of mental health to have the greatest impact possible,” added Driscoll, who noted the conference will offer five continuing education credits for professionals.
This year, the conference is Oct. 23 at the Harbor Events & Conference Center in Portsmouth with Cheryl Sharp, senior adviser for trauma-informed services for the National Council for Behavioral Health, as keynote speaker. In addition to drawing on her 30 years of experience working with adult trauma survivors and people with mental health challenges, Sharp said her keynote address and workshop will also reflect her personal experience.
“After nine suicide attempts and as many hospitalizations, I have found that living well and living fully is possible,” she said. “I know first hand what hurts and what helps a person move forward in their life.”
In speaking at the conference, Sharp said she will focus on educating attendees on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma as well as how organizations can respond to it through effective policies, procedures and practices.
Conference speaker Dr. Martha Robb of the Dartmouth School of Medicine will speak on trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, which helps children and adolescents recover from traumatic experiences and post traumatic stress disorder.
“We know from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey that childhood exposure to trauma is very common and can have a long-term impact on psychological well-being, physical health and, if severe enough, even mortality,” she said. “Preventing and reducing children’s exposure to traumatic events such as domestic or community violence would go a long way in improving our society.”
In assembling experts from across the state, SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture said she believes the conference continues to serve “a vital purpose” in the community.
“The Erik Cogswell Memorial Conference creates a public educational forum on topics in the field of mental health that need to be discussed and better understood,” she said. “We are grateful not just to the speakers who invest their time, but our corporate sponsors whose financial support makes the conference possible.”
Registration for the conference is $140 and includes five CEUs for professionals who request them. Consumers and family members may register for $35. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. For information or to register online, visit www.cogswellconference.com.
[This release was originally posted at http://www.seacoastonline.com/...sthash.E6RXW7Pu.dpuf]
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