At the 28th Annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, MACMH presented a theme of Harmony in Connection: Nurturing Mental Wellness Together. This theme was carried through to MHED Talks Plus – a musical version of the Ted Talk inspired annual MACMH conference series. Attendees enjoyed performances and conversations with Deb Kline, Alan O’Malley-Laursen, and ShaShee Yang. 

Patty Wetterling joined the conference as a keynote speaker, sharing her story “Share the Hope,” about losing her son to kidnapping in Minnesota in the late 80s. During her presentation, Wetterling shared the children’s perspective on a scary topic and how we as adults and caregivers can help them overcome great obstacles and be brave enough to hope.  

Farah Harris, MA, LCPC, presented “Fostering Emotional Intelligence: Creating Safe Havens for Our Children.” Harris discussed the critical role of emotional intelligence in effectively working with children from diverse backgrounds. She also explored the importance of practicing emotional intelligence while acknowledging and embracing diversity and how it directly contributes to improving children’s emotional intelligence and fostering their overall well-being.  

On Tuesday morning, Executive Director Brandon Jones hosted MACMH board members Dr. Jazlynn Paige, PhD, NCSP, and Liz Franklin, MSW, LICSW, in a conversation titled, “Nurturing the Healers: Addressing the Emotional Needs of Mental Health Professionals Post-Pandemic and Beyond.” View the podcast recording HERE. 

1520 Attendees
80 Workshops
3 Keynotes
53 Volunteers
73 Exhibitors
10 Sponsors

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