Hidden Disabilities

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Diana Vila

Hidden disabilities keep many of us feeling less than our peers without disabilities. It's important to find safe people on campus who can guide you, mentor you, and make the obstacles easier to overcome. Trusting another with our secret can be hard, but it's essential to success. It can kick-start your success in school and in your career. Being empowered can be a beautiful thing, but you must start with that first step. Trust yourself and reach out.

Keynote Presentation

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Anita S. Daniels

In her keynote, Anita will educate attendees on the facts relating to mental health in the United States, reasons why people don’t seek treatment, how to reduce stigma, and speak about self-care and stress management.

There is No 'One-Size-Fits-All' Solution when Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Adolescents & Young Adults

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Dana Stein, PhD

The rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are at record highs. While there are a plethora of advisors suggesting we engage in "self care" clearly it is more complicated than a quick fix. I will dig into the research and present the specifics of how social media has impacted mental health and how to better manage our use of technology. Suggestions will be presented about what self-care really looks like versus the superficiality that we are bombarded with that actually makes us all feel worse. Links between our nervous system and mood will be explored.

Joy Zone

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Crystal Dilonez

Proactive thought: The world in general is not as binary as we're conditioned to believe it is. In particular, through the lens of capitalism we are conditioned to only deem ourselves as worthy when we're producing. But what happens to this concept of our worth when we're producing for ourselves rather than "the machine"? Are we only worthy when we're working a 9am-5pm job? Are we not worthy when we are producing for our benefit as well? (i.e. self care). In a world where joy has become a radical act, join us in a radical effort to reclaim our sense of worth by tapping into your inner child. This carefully crafted card game playfully deconstructs the concept of pedagogy and academia while utilizing multiple counseling practices to identify, reflect and radicalize the "worker mentality" conditioned into us all - whether we're students, self-employed, working part or full-time, serving as caregivers for others in addition to ourselves, all of the above and beyond.

Critical Conversations: Talking about Mental Health

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Linda Paradiso

Not all injuries are visible. We learn CPR to help people when they are having a heart attack but what can we do when someone is having a mental health or addiction crisis? Attend this session to learn what to say and skills to use to provide support to people who are having a tough time or are in psychological distress.

Technology and the Anxious Self

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Diana Magaldi

This presentation considers technology’s effect on mental health, exploring the possibilities technology affords along with the anxiety it engenders. Using clinical case examples and current research, we consider how social media influences self-concept and identity formation. We will explore the variegated meanings, implications, and impact of the technologies that have crept into almost all aspects of our lives. The presentation prompts investigation into when our technology use is healthy and when it is problematic. We will consider the data that identifies when our responsiveness to our phones can be compulsive, and the paradox inherent in technology use - preoccupation while using it and preoccupation when separated from it. We consider how technology is not only shaping our experience of ourselves but also our relationship to others, at a time when our personal emotional disclosures are now more likely to take place on Snapchat and Instagram than face to face. What does it mean then for us and our relationships when we replace presence with virtual connectivity? This presentation presents findings on how emotional connection is complicated, enriched and sometimes troubled by the introduction of technology, allowing participants to examine their relationship with technology in a thoughtful, considered way.

Work Stress and Mental Health

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Emuran Saidy

Work stress can have physical, emotional, psychological, and mental effects on employees. According to the Center for Disease Control, "work stress refers to the harmful physical and emotional effects when job requirements do not match workers’ resources or needs. Work stress can lead to poor mental and physical health." Furthermore, a worker might have the necessary resources available to them but a toxic work environment can have emotional and mental effects to an employee. My presentation will look at work stress and its effects on mental health, importance of self-care, participants will be able to understand their own level of stress at work. Moreover, I will also talk about the unique stressors at work that can affect an employee's personal well-being and how to cope with stress at work.

A New Mental Health Approach for Children

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Agnieshka Burke

In our fast-paced world, it can be difficult to slow down enough to perceive and take notice of the mental changes that can be happening in response to past or current trauma. Children are especially at a disadvantage as they cannot often times accurately pinpoint their mental states and actively look for help. The goal of this session is to shine more light on the practice of mindfulness as well as other novel trauma release and repair practices such as somatic and polyvagal therapies, and other yoga and physical-based activities that have been scientifically proven to improve mental health and repair the damage caused by trauma. These approaches can be used in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy, but can also be offered as a mindful and relaxing outlet for kids and teens that does not require verbal sharing but offers connection and healing of their nervous systems and can guide adolescents into better mental states.

The Intersection of Social Justice and Mental Health in the Black Community

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Candice Barfield

Belonging to a group that experiences oppression, discrimination, and biases is one thing, but belonging to various groups who experience oppression, discrimination, and prejudices simultaneously, is an even more intense and unique lived experience in its own right. The Black community, specifically in the United States, carries the burden of not only being the recipients of racism but being involved in a system that is notorious for not prioritizing their wellbeing either. Racism and other forms of inequality and inequity mentally scar the Black community and exist everywhere Black people hold space. It starts in schools, followed by the workplace, the legal system, and public spaces. ‘Born to Lose: The Intersection of Social Justice & Mental Health in the Black Community’ explores how the lack of fair and equitable distribution of social, political, educational, and economic benefits impacts the mental health of Black people in the United States. It will specifically focus on the life trajectory of Black individuals from the time they are born, following their youth and adolescence, and ending with their transition into adulthood.

When They See Us

Virtual Presentation

Speaker: Karl Alexandre

When they see Us highlights the effects of microaggression towards students of color and other minority groups in the classroom. In this session, we will be tackling the biases and preconceived notions that professors may have towards individuals who may look and speak differently from the general population. Oftentimes, these personal views may cause the professors to overlook students, assuming certain students do not speak English because of their names or the way they look and sound, and prejudging certain minorities of criminality backgrounds. How can we start to make changes in the classrooms and create a productive learning environment for instructors.