30th Annual NAMI-NYS Educational Conference:

The Golden Thread of Hope

The 30^th Anniversary Conference is titled The Golden Thread of Hope, because just as a thread consists of many intertwined strands that come together to become stronger so does NAMI-NYS. When intertwined, education, support, a strong advocacy voice, the power of grassroots and sharing with one another make up the golden thread of hope that NAMI-NYS has given thousands of families touched by mental illness. It is this thread that joins us as a NAMI family and we are excited to use this conference as a family reunion where we join together to learn new information, empower ourselves and celebrate all that we have accomplished together and all that we plan to accomplish as we move forward and demonstrate that as a grassroots movement we are truly better together.

Join hundreds of participants made up of NAMI-NYS grassroots leaders, people living with a mental illness, family members and friends of people with a mental illness, providers of mental health services, mental health advocates and New York State agency leaders as we come together to learn from some of the nation's leading psychiatric minds.

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Featured Speakers:

Click here to learn more about this year's featured speakers:

• Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, M.D., Keynote Speaker
• Donald Goff, M.D., Director, Nathan Kline Institute
• Lisa Dixon, M.D., Director,Center for Practice Innovations,New York State Psychiatric Institute.
• Michael Hogan, Ph.D, Commissioner, New York State Office of Mental Health
• Randye Kaye, Author of Ben Behind His Voices
• Lloyd Sederer, M.D., Medical Director,New York State Office of Mental Health

Conference Agenda:

Click here to view the full conference agenda.

A brief conference overview:

Friday will focus on Criminal Justice issues with sessions on: Improving Court Interactions When Your Loved One has a Mental Illness; Mental Health Courts; and Crisis Intervention Training. There will be a screening of the Breaking the Silence Film “Student Voices Loud and Proud” followed by a panel discussion by people who are active in creating awareness of mental health issues for children and adolescents. There will also be a panel discussion on affiliate development. The day will conclude with a keynote address by Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia.

Saturday will feature an update on research being conducted in New York State, led by Donald Goff, M.D., Director, Nathan Kline Institute and Lisa Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Center for Practice Innovations New York State Psychiatric Institute. Lunch will feature a talk from Randye Kaye, author of Ben Behind His Voices. The afternoon will feature two concurrent workshop sessions with each session offering four workshop topics. New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan and Andrew Sperling, NAMI’s Director of Legislative Affairs will provide an update on the state and federal mental health systems. Saturday evening will feature a celebration of 30 years of bringing the leading psychiatric minds to New York via the conference as well as honor the work our affiliates have done to educate communities throughout New York State. The celebration will be capped by a dynamic performance by the band Flame.

Sunday will feature a presentation on integrated wellness by Lloyd Sederer, M.D., Medical Director, New York State Office of Mental Health. The conference will conclude with an “Ask the Doctor” session where participants can ask questions to Lewis Opler, M.D. retired Medical Director, New York State Office of Mental Health.

Speaker Bios:

Click here to view speaker biographies

Flame, a band made up of 10 people with developmental/physical disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, and blindness, is capturing the world’s attention but their message remains the same.  The band from Lexington Center, Fulton County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc., wants to change the world through music.  They are a phenomenon that inspires people and changes the way the general public view people with disabilities.  People of all ages and backgrounds connect with this special rock band, especially those who have a disability.  Parents are often overcome with emotion watching Flame, seeing that it’s possible to have their child achieve great things and, even more importantly, have a fun, fulfilling life.

Flame will be capping off Saturday night's 30 year anniversary celebration with a dynamic performanceguaranteed to get you up and dancing. Anyone who saw Flame at the 2010 Educational Conference knows their performance is not to be missed.

Become A Sponsor, Exhibitor or Advertisor:

The NAMI-NYS Educational Conference offers several affordable options to market your organization to a targeted audience of people living with a mental illness, their families, providers of mental health services and mental health advocates.

Whether it is taking advantage of all the benefits available by becoming a conference sponsor, communicating directly with conference attendees by exhibting at the conference or advertising in the conference journal, you will not want to miss the opportunity to promote your organization and your work by participating in the NAMI-NYS Educational Conference.

Click here to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Click here to view the FAQ sections

Registration Prices:

Early Bird Prices (Prices go up after Oct 19th)

NAMI-NYS Member Rates
NAMI-NYS Member Entire Conference-3 Days (6 meals)    $190.00            
NAMI-NYS Member Saturday and Sunday Only (4 meals)    $140.00            
NAMI-NYS Member Friday Only (2 meals)    $70.00            
NAMI-NYS Member Saturday Only (3 meals)    $90.00            

Non-NAMI-NYS Member Rates
Non-Member Entire Conference (6 meals)    $300.00            
Non-Member Saturday and Sunday Only (4 meals)    $190.00            
Non-Member Friday Only (2 meals)    $150.00            
Non-Member Saturday Only (3 meals)    $175.00            

Professional Rates That Include Discounted Business Card Ad
Professional/Provider Entire Conference (6 Meals and Business Card Ad in Program)    $350.00            
Professional/Provider Friday and Saturday (5 meals and Business Card Ad in Program)    $300.00         Professional/Provider Saturday Only (3 meals and Business Card Ad in Program)    $225.00            
Professional/Provider Friday Only (2 meals and Business Card Ad in Program)    $115.0  

Registration DOES NOT include hotel rooms.

The NAMI-NYS Conference rate at the Desmond is $121 for single or double occupancy rooms. Please call the Desmond at 1-800-448-3500 to make your reservation be sure to mention the NAMI conference

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Scholarships:

Click here to read more about opportunities for scholarships to the conference.

 

 

Conference Sponsors 

NAMI-NYS thanks our generous conference sponsors. You can click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

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