8:00am – 8:15am
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks 

8:15am – 9:00am
Mental Health Through a DEI Lens: Understanding Disparities and Cultivating Inclusive Care
There are well-documented disparities in mental health prevalence, treatment access, and quality of care for racially, culturally and linguistically diverse populations. This session will examine the intersections between mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We will discuss how systemic inequities, discrimination, and lack of cultural competence impact mental health outcomes. Learn best practices for delivering inclusive, anti-racist, and identity-affirming mental health support and services. 

Zenia Cardoza CADCII, ICADC, MHFA
Substance Use Navigator, Addiction Medicine
Naloxone Distribution Program Manager
Co-Chair Diversity Inclusion Culture Equity Committee
Harm Reduction Specialist
Social Work & Case Management
Emergency Department
Stanford Health Care

9:00am – 9:45am
Mental Health at Work: Creating a Supportive Culture for Employees
Mental health is a critical workplace issue that impacts employee well-being, productivity, and the bottom line. This session will explore how companies can prioritize and promote psychological safety as part of their culture. We’ll discuss comprehensive strategies employers can implement to proactively address mental health, including an action plan for implementing mental health support suited for your organization. 

Saurabh Chandra, MD
Project Director
National Center of Excellence for Telehealth
Chief Telehealth Officer
University of Mississippi Medical Center

9:45am – 10:15am
Networking & Refreshments Break 

10:15am – 11:00am
Integrated Care: Bridging the Gap Between Mental and Behavioral Health
For too long, mental health and behavioral health services have existed in siloed systems, despite their closely intertwined relationship. This session will make the case for an integrated care approach that treats the whole person. We will discuss the importance of coordinating mental health, substance abuse, and primary care services. Topics will include:

• The prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• How unaddressed mental illness impacts the ability to make healthy choices
• Challenges and inefficiencies of navigating separate siloed treatment systems
• Core principles and evidence-based models of integrated care delivery
• Implementing screening, referral and follow-up protocols across providers
• Using a collaborative care team approach with coordinated treatment planning
• Examples of effective integrated care initiatives and their impacts

Christine Beran Flicek, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor
Director of Integrated Care
Department of Psychiatry
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine 

11.00am – 11.45am
Substance Use Inpatient Treatment- Opportunities for Integration of Mental Health, Wraparound Supports and Evidence Based Medications
Often inpatient substance use treatment is viewed as a short-term intervention to manage acute withdrawal; however, this is a unique opportunity to begin integrated care at the point of acute substance use treatment. Providing screening, treatment, and intervention for mental health needs during and following inpatient detoxification and stabilization supports long term recovery. Taking a wraparound support lens that includes substance use, mental health, medical needs, and evidence-based treatments such as medications for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder are imperative to improve outcomes following inpatient SUD treatment. We will review best practices and operational workflows that support this integration and improve outcomes.

Lisa Blanchard, MA, LMHC
Chief Clinical Officer
Spectrum Health System 

12:30pm – 1:30pm
Luncheon 

1:30pm – 2:15pm
Overcoming Rural Barriers: Increasing Mental Health Access and Equity
Rural communities face significant disparities and unique challenges when it comes to accessing quality mental healthcare. This session will explore strategies for enhancing services and supports for the millions of Americans living in rural and remote areas and innovative strategies to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of mental health resources.

Christine Cauffield, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Vice President – SAMH
LSF Health Systems, Inc. 

2:15pm – 3:15pm
Panel: Community Partnerships: The Key to Increasing Mental Health Care Access
Lack of access is one of the biggest barriers preventing people from getting the mental healthcare they need. This session will explore how developing strong community partnerships can help bridge major gaps in the mental health system. Our panel of experts will discuss collaborative models for improving the availability, affordability and quality of mental health services locally. Topics will include:

• The current landscape of mental healthcare access and disparities
• Benefits of integrating mental health in non-traditional settings like schools, workplaces and faith communities
• Strategies for engaging and coordinating efforts across different sectors like healthcare, government, nonprofits and businesses
• Leveraging community health workers to provide culturally competent outreach
• Innovative technology solutions to increase access points
• Funding and policy approaches to support community-driven initiatives

Veronica  A. Kelley,  DSW, LCSW
Director
Orange County Health Care Agency 

3:15pm – 3:45pm
Networking & Refreshments Break 

3:45pm – 4:30pm
Expanding Access Through Telehealth: Using Telemedicine for Substance Use and Mental Health Care
Telemedicine has emerged as a powerful tool for increasing access and convenience when it comes to substance use and mental health treatment. This session will explore the current landscape and future potential of telehealth services in the behavioral health field. Gain insights into how telemedicine can enhance and supplement in-person behavioral health services and learn best practices for leveraging telehealth to provide accessible, affordable, quality virtual care.

Stacia Fisher, MSW, LICSW, ACM
Director, TelePsychiatry
Virtual Care & Digital Health
Providence Health 

Joshua Jones, MD
Medical Director – Telepsychiatry
Providence Virtual Care and Digital Health
Providence Health

4:30pm – 5:15pm
Recovery Friendly Workplaces: Win-Win Strategies to Address Employee Substance Misuse and Mental Health
Employers who address substance use and mental health in the workplace have healthier employees, increased productivity and profits, and fewer injuries and accidents. But it can be challenging to figure out how to manage these common workforce health problems. This session will provide practical tools for employers who want to make their workplaces more recovery friendly, including workplace culture shifts, supportive conversations, drug testing, and return to work agreements.

Jackie Pogue, MPH
Research Project Manager
The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice 

5:15pm
End of Day One

8:00am – 8:15am
Chairperson’s Recap 

8:15am – 9:00am
Mental Health Trends to Watch For
Mental health became an important part of the public conversation, as Olympic athletes, celebrities and other public figures came forward about their well-being and helped reduce the stigma. We can expect mental health to continue to be a top priority, particularly as the United States reckons with a growing mental health crisis. New developments in science are a testament to humanity’s commitment to healing. Other studies have shown us how we can improve mental health services, address racial and socioeconomic disparities, and ultimately, enhance our overall well-being from the inside out. This session will explore what mental health trends to watch for in the year ahead. 

Mason Turner, MD
Senior Medical Director for Behavioral Health
Intermountain Health 

9:00am – 9:45am
Promoting Mental Health in Schools: A Whole Child Approach
Schools play a pivotal role in supporting the mental health and well-being of our youth. This session will make the case for integrating comprehensive mental health services and programming into the educational environment. We will discuss the importance of taking a “whole child” approach that looks beyond just academics to nurture all aspects of student development. Topics to be discussed will include:

• The impact of mental health on learning, behavior, and school performance
• Strategies for fostering a positive, trauma-informed school climate
• Implementing multi-tiered systems of mental health support
• Training staff in mental health literacy and intervention
• Developing community partnerships to provide wraparound services
• Ensuring access and reducing stigma around mental health care

Sean Perry
Co-Founder/ President
We R H.O.P.E., Inc 

9:45am – 10:15am
Networking & Refreshments Break 

10:15am – 11:00am
Untangling the Web: Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
For many individuals, substance use disorders and mental health conditions are inextricably linked. This session will shed light on the challenges of co-occurring disorders and explore integrated approaches for effective screening, diagnosis and treatment. Gain insights into the intricate interplay between mental health and addiction, and learn best practices in diagnosis, treatment planning, resilience-building, and long-term recovery management for affected individuals and their families.

Manassa Hany, MD
Director, Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship
Medical Director, Mount Sinai West Addiction outpatient
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 

11:00am – 11:45am
How Value-Based Care Impacts Mental Health
Value-based care has revolutionized the healthcare industry. This model rewards providers for achieving positive outcomes with their patients and clients. It promotes helping a patient reduce the impact of chronic disease or achieving overall positive results rather than the traditional fee-for-service model. Healthcare providers everywhere are turning to this model to improve the lives of patients, but what about behavioral health providers? In this session learn about how value-based care can also impact the field of mental health.

Sameer V. Awsare, MD, FACP
Associate Executive Director
Permanente Medicine
The Permanente Medical Group 

11:45am – 12:30pm
Rebuilding Trust by Raising the Standard of Pain and Addiction Care
Trust has been shattered by the traditional inaction of healthcare regarding stigmatized public health crises, such as our substance use epidemic and pain epidemic. Rebuilding trust is not an easy endeavor to voyage, however ample opportunity is present. Healthcare settings, which serve as vital touchpoints for our communities, can create focused protocols and procedures to incorporate evidence-based care, and compassionate approaches, serving to foster a welcoming environment that is critically needed. We must not avoid the cries and needs of our communities, who are at utmost risk of a variety of consequences related to alcohol and drug use, impacting quality of life, family/peer relations, and global physical and mental well-being. 

Sandeep Kapoor, MD
Vice President of Emergency Medicine Addiction Services
Director of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Northwell Health 

12:30pm
Conference Concludes

Burnout Prevention for Mental Health Professionals 

Those working in mental health fields like counseling, psychology, social work, and psychiatry are at extremely high risk of experiencing burnout due to the incredible emotional demands of their roles. This workshop will provide mental healthcare workers with proven strategies and tools for prioritizing their own self-care and combating job burnout amongst their workforces. Participants will:

• Increase awareness of the unique burnout risks in mental healthcare fields
• Learn to recognize the tell-tale signs of burnout in themselves and colleagues
• Explore the impacts of burnout on mental health, relationships, and client care
• Identify their own personal triggers, stressors, and symptoms
• Cultivate resilience through mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and coping techniques
• Develop a personalized self-care plan incorporating a variety of wellness strategies
• Practice emotional intelligence skills like self-awareness, self-regulation and empathy
• Examine how organizations can address burnout through systemic policy and culture changes