McHenry County Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Wellness & Recovery Conference

The McHenry County Mental Health Board is partnering with the Suicide Prevention Task Force at the first Suicide and Mental Health Recovery Conference to promote public awareness of mental health concerns, the prevalence of suicide and substance abuse in our communities - as well as learn about Hope, Empowerment and Recovery. The theme is Uniting Our Voices, Strength and Recovery. Over 20 behavioral health and education exhibitors are participating. Professionals and community members are all encouraged to attend.                                                            5 Free CEUs and Complimentary Lunch provided.

Registration Deadline has been extended to Friday, September 8, 2017

Featured Speaker: Will I Ever Be the Same Again? A Recovery Story. Carol Kivler, MS, CSP. Carol Kivler is an author, thought leader and trusted advisor to international business executives. She is also a passionate advocate for people struggling with depression and mental illness. A survivor of four bouts of treatment resistant depression, Carol battled this illness with courage and faith to a full and sustained recovery. Carol works tirelessly to overcome stigma and misrepresentations that still surround those suffering from mental illnesses.

The Conference will also feature Virginia Goldrick, Ph.D, LCPC, CRSS from Chicago-Read Mental Health Center. She will share her thoughts about Self-Compassion - A Kinder, Gentler You & Me. Virginia believes self-compassion is a powerful recovery tool. Virginia is a WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) facilitator and self-disclosed mental health consumer, family member, and advocate. 

Hilary E. Konczal, WSO-CSSD/CSM/CST is the Chief Safety and Environmental Officer for Metra. He will present  Suicide Prevention - One Railroad's Perspective. Metra is working with the mental health community and county health departments to enact signage on or around the railroad displaying a message of hope and phone number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in hopes that someone who may be contemplating suicide will seek help.

Conference Schedule

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00 -9:15 Opening Remarks - Scott Block

9:15-10:30 Carol Kivler

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:45 Breakout Sessions (see below)

11:45-12:30 Complimentary Lunch

(12:15-12:45 The Break teen club will perform in the Luecht Conference Center)

12:45-1:15 Virginia Goldrick

1:15-2:00 Hilary Konczal

2:00-2:15 Break

2:15-3:15 Breakout Sessions (see below)

3:15-3:30 Adjourn (Please complete Evaluations and collect Free CEUs!)

Breakout Sessions

Role of Coping Skills in Recovery - Siobhan M. Petrie, LCPC Centegra Health System 

Chicken or the Egg? Suicide Risk Assessment in Primary Addiction/Substance Use Treatment - Dr. Sarah Briley, EdD, LCPC, CADC, Clinical Director Amita Health 

Insights into the Neurobiology of Suicide and Key Aspects of Resiliency - Dr. Rachel Self, MS, Ph.D 

A Look at Prevalence, Protective Factors and Mental Health Issues as they Relate to Suicide Assessment, Risk and Prevention - David Carrillo, LCPC, CADC

QPR (Question Persuade Refer) for Suicide Prevention is designed to help you save a life - Laura Crain, Substance Abuse Coalition 

WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) - Pat Lindquist, CRSS 

Teaching Stress Management Strategies to Clients - Shira Greenfield LCPC, Centegra Health System 

Recovery Circle, Break the Silence, Come Share Your Stories of Hope - NAMI of McHenry County

Treatment Resistance and Safety Planning with Clients in Crisis - Dr. Jeremy Bidwell, LCP, Meridian Behavioral Health 

Accommodations  For any accomodations needed, including dietary needs for lunch, translation and/or transportation, please call the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815.455.2828 from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Requests must be received by September 4, 2017. 

 The Uniting Our Voices Conference partners includes Amita Health/Alexian Brothers, Association for Individual Development (AID), Centegra Health System,  Conscious Cup, Live4Lali, McHenry County Behavioral Health Foundation, McHenry County Mental Health Board, NAMI McHenry County, Rosecrance, Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Substance Abuse Coalition. The conference is also supported by organizations and volunteers who generously contribute time, services and/or financial donations.