Continuing the Conversation...Mental Wellness Matters

Trauma Informed Care. What is Wrong, to What is Strong.
Childhood trauma affects 1 in 4 children and can have a devastating impact through the lifespan. Parents may not fully understand how trauma affects the brain and behavior, leaving them confused and frustrated. This course will help parents help their children find hope and healing.

Autism Spectrum
Autism spectrum disorders now affect about 1-2% of the population, however, a larger percentage of these children are being admitted for mental health problems. Providing strategies for parents to recognize and cope with these disorders will be important for both practitioners and the community.

When Living Your Best Life is Running You Ragged
Does anyone feel like keeping up with the Joneses has gone to a whole new level with social media comparison? Somehow, we are expected to excel in our workflow and side hustle because everyone’s a boss these days. We have to hit the gym and meal prep, but it doesn’t count unless you post it. We’re supposed to wear the latest fashions, travel to exotic places, and have a #RelationshipGoals – worthy partnership. All these demands are exhausting, unrealistic, and unsustainable. Through this interactive session on modern-day stress, learn mindfulness practice and reflection exercises on short term and long term self-care strategies to manage the demands of life.

Caregiver Support Training – Emotions and Tools
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

In this interactive session, Caregivers will learn they are not alone and will explore the available tools for all caregiver success.  You will also hear success stories from current caregivers.

Opioid, Substance Abuse, and Other Addictions 

Virginia is currently under a public health emergency as a result of the opioid addiction crisis. Opioids continue to be a major public health crisis in Virginia, but evidence of progress is beginning to emerge, especially in Hampton Roads. This presentation will explore various types of addictions and ways to respond to an overdose emergency.

Safety of Our Youth – Schools and Suicide Prevention 

This presentation will focus not only on the early identification signs of teenage depression but also on effective interventions on both a personal and systemic level to aid in decreasing teenage suicide. Attendees will learn about the factors and symptoms of teenage depression, and steps beyond the “immediate response” that can assist in the long-term alleviation of symptoms. Participants will also hear the perspective from our local Police Department to discuss overall safety in our schools.

Mental Health & Spirituality

The history of the relationship between spirituality and mental health will be explored to include the stigma that both have regarded toward the other. More recently, research has begun to investigate the relationship and acknowledged the changing roles. Spirituality is now seen as a powerful resource for recovery from serious mental health issues. This presentation will address factors that the spiritual community can contribute to reducing stigma toward mental illness and ways that mental health professionals can consider spirituality as a positive coping strategy in the treatment of mental illness and the promotion of mental health.

Caregiver Support Training – Establish Patient & Family Centered Goals
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

In this interactive session, Caregivers will learn how to create a team to support you and your patient and how to engage your medical team.  You will also learn how to create Patient and Family Centered goals.

The Stress of Work and Life for Clinical Professionals 

Care providers and personnel are at higher risk for chronic stress than the general population. A holistic wellness approach to personal stress management can help avoid burnout and improve overall satisfaction. Teamwork is also essential for effective wellness promotion. Theory, research, and application on these topics will be addressed.

Mental Health at School – Resiliency for Student Success

The impact of mental health is on the rise in school systems nationwide. Most school systems support inclusion classrooms which provide accommodations to mental and physical disabled students in regular classroom settings. This presentation will discuss changes and current trends in mental health relative to educational settings and students’ success.

Resources for Military Families 

The presentation will cover ten useful resources to assist the new and seasoned spouse with handling the many challenges of military life. The resources that will be covered will encompass several key areas of military life to include employment, gaining education, dealing with self-care and wellness goals and how to have fun even with the many challenges of military life.

Caregiver Support Training – Shared Decision Making
Caregiver Action Network (CAN)

ARDX Foundation in partnership with Caregiver Action Network (CAN), the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones, will offer a 3-hour training session on understanding and supporting family caregivers. The Caregiver Support Training Sessions are ideal for participants who:

• Just realized they are a family caregiver
• Have been a family caregiver for years
• Are a family caregiver, even though they don’t live near their loved one
• Balancing their career and being a full-time caregiver

During this 3-hour training, the presentation will be divided into 4 sections with quality time for questions and answers.

1. “I Felt” Exercise. During this exercise, participants will learn that they are not alone.
2. Basic Tools. Participants will review the 10 Tips for Family Caregivers which include; seeking support, taking care of self, accept offers of help, communications with the medical team, exploring new technologies, signs of depression, taking respite breaks, organize information, legal documentation, and giving yourself credit for taking on this role.
3. Establish Patient and Family-Centered Goals. Participants will learn how to include the patient’s voice when establishing goals.
4. Create a Shared/Holistic Family Plan with Next Steps for Implementation. Participants will walk away understanding they are not alone. They will be able to ask questions and get advice from leaders in this field, and they will leave with a holistic plan for themselves and their loved ones.