Join Kelechi Ubozoh, author of We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health, as she shares her personal story of surviving a suicide attempt while navigating racism in mental health system. In this presentation, Kelechi will talk about the impact racism had on her mental health, her concern for the rising rates of suicide among Black youth, and what she dreams for community, providers, and mental health system collaboration. … [Read more...] about Summit 2023 Opening Keynote: The Power of Choice: Surviving Suicide from a Black Lens
Culturally Responsive Practices
Words Matter – Minority
The adage of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not really true – Words can hurt, but they can also heal. Please join us for the Words Matter series where we engage in open and authentic discussions about the impact of common terminology used in child serving systems with those that are directly affected. Our goal is to illuminate how the terms we use can influence perception, approach, and practice, as well as explore alternative language as a means of intentionally shifting how we view and interact with youth, families, and each other. … [Read more...] about Words Matter – Minority
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – Where Do We Go From Here?
There is growing recognition that unaddressed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can greatly impact young people's development and their future well-being. However, what is less well-known is that racism, oppression, and historical trauma have an enormous impact on ACEs and how they perpetuate in families and communities. If we truly want to promote healing from ACEs now and prevent ACEs in the future, then we must address the root causes of ACEs, including racism and oppression. Please join us for an upcoming session that explores preventing ACEs from an equitable and antiracist lens. This panel is co-hosted with PACEsConnection and honors lived experience. Joining in this session will be a young adult with lived experience, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and a community organizer. Together, the panelists will bring their varying perspectives to discuss the connection between ACEs and oppression and effective strategies for taking action. The panelists will explore … [Read more...] about Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – Where Do We Go From Here?
Family Exchange – Engaging Families involved with Juvenile Justice
Meri Viano will use her story and lessons of working for over 15 years with juvenile justice, child welfare both nationally and in the state of Massachusetts. Her personal stories, voice and experience will allow you to reframe your own practices. Change sometimes comes in increments. By creating relationships with individual state agencies serving children, PPAL was able to shift practice toward including the family perspective. This led to collaborations. PPAL was determined to help interrupt schools, child welfare and mental health systems who encouraged the use of the court system and keep youth out of the school to prison pipeline. The session will walk through how the lived experience impacts the work that is being done. It will highlight the need to understand that children and youth involved in mental health, child welfare and especially those with discipline issues in school can be diverted from courts and the school to prison pipeline with multiple invested … [Read more...] about Family Exchange – Engaging Families involved with Juvenile Justice
Addressing Racism in Youth Mental Health Services
Trending data continue to demonstrate disparities in mental health diagnoses, access to mental health services, and wellness outcomes for Black and Brown children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families. One of the root causes of these disparities is racism. Racism has been embedded in the mental health system since the inception of mental health services and has significantly impacted engagement, diagnoses, treatment access, therapeutic options, and outcomes. As providers, clinicians, advocates, and administrators, we have choices. We can ignore these data, blame young people and their families, or take action by looking within and using our power to make a positive difference. If you are ready to take ACTION, please register and join this session! … [Read more...] about Addressing Racism in Youth Mental Health Services