The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Kearney
Division, Good Samaritan Health Systems and the National Alliance on Mental
Illness will host a mental health conference, Hope Shines, June 21 and
22.
The conference, which will be held at the Nebraskan Student Union at
University of Nebraska-Kearney, is targeted towards mental health professionals,
consumers, families, and advocates and anyone who has an interest in mental
illness through personal or professional experience.
Keynote speakers will be Mary Sullivan, and William Spaulding, M.D.,
who have recently published a book: Treatment and Rehabilitation of Severe
Mental Illness. The book is used by professionals to understand disabling
mental illness and to improve the lives of those who face its daily challenge.
Other speakers will discuss a variety of topics, including research
in the special rehabilitation unit at the Lincoln Regional Center, a new
suicide prevention program, new anti-psychotic medications and legislative
advocacy training. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with some
state senators about issues of mental health parity and access to mental
health services.
Sunday will feature two presentations of religious issues: Integrating
Your Faith and Your Behavioral Health by Rev. James Goble & Janet Goble,
and Spirituality and Treatment of Behavioral Health Issues by Sally Grosse,
advanced practice nurse and interim administrator at Richard Young Hospital
in Kearney. Other topics will include aroma relaxation therapy, NAMI-CARE
support groups, work incentives, and childrens issues.
A banquet on Saturday evening will feature awards presentations to recognize
individuals and organizations for support of NAMI. Two consumers will present
In Our Own Voice as they describe their search for recovery and return
to a productive life.
For more information, please contact: Linda Jensen, Ph.D., (30) 865-8729
or the NAMI Nebraska office at 877-463-6264 (toll free). Continuing education
credit is available.