Agenda

TIME
TITLE
session/speaker/abstract
MORNING SESSIONS

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Welcome Remarks
Liberty Hall

Steve McCaffrey, President & CEO
Mental Health America of Indiana

Leslie Hulvershorn, MD
IU Department of Psychiatry

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Morning Keynote
Liberty Hall

Ringing the Alarm on Black Youth Suicide
Tamika C.B. Zapolski, PhD
Associate Professor
Indiana University School of Medicine

Track: Suicide Prevention

The United States has experienced more than a decade-long suicide epidemic among its young people and is now one of the leading causes of death among people aged 10-19. National data from 1991 to 2019 among high school students found Black youth to be the only racial/ethnic group with a consistent year-to-year increase in suicide attempts, with decreases reported for all other groups. The increasing rate of suicide among Black youth has continued in the 2020s. Furthermore, disparities in suicide have been observed among Black youth, with higher rates of suicide found among LGBTQ+ Black youth. A growing body of research has identified risk and protective factors for youth suicide; however, these factors are derived from suicide models developed in predominantly White populations and are less predictive for Black youth. The goal of the workshop is to raise awareness of suicide among Black youth, provide culturally based suicide frameworks to understand the risk and protection of suicide among Black youth, highlight clinical considerations when working with Black youth as well as areas where additional work is needed to reduce suicide risk among this population of young people.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

BREAK & EXHIBIT HALL

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Morning Session
Liberty Hall

Panel Discussion on Economic, Legal, and Health Benefits and Risk of Cannabis Legalization
Matthew Aalsma, PhD.
Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and Division Chief of Child Health Services Research
IU School of Medicine

Olawale Ojo, MD

Track: Research

Panel discussion

Morning Session
Veterans Hall 1

Overview of Indiana’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Strategic Plan
Leslie Hulvershorn, MD
Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine/Indiana University Health

Tyler Leishman, MD

Track: Research

Over a 6-month period in 2023, Riley Children’s Health convened >200 Hoosier stakeholders and conducted several out of state site visits to develop Indiana’s youth mental health and substance use disorder strategic plan. That plan has been completed and the details will be shared during this session. The recommendations for the plan will be actioned at Riley, but the plan is also designed for use in any interested community throughout Indiana.

Morning Session
Veterans Hall 2

Science of Burn-out and How To Improve Workplace Wellness
Angela Rollins, PhD
Associate Director and Research Health Scientist
VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication

Track: Research

Employee burnout is a growing concern in healthcare organizations, and mental health services are no exception. This presentation reviews what we know about the impact of employee burnout on individuals, organizations, and care quality, including some of the limited literature available on how burnout is experienced by employees from racial minority groups. The presentation will explain what we know about the core drivers of burnout and how this information leads us to conceptualize the most effective interventions for burnout. Finally, this presentation will highlight the literature on improving workplace wellness and cover some of the ideas emerging from this work, particularly those that revolve around organizational strategies, as opposed to interventions targeting employee coping strategies. Examples from VA’s Reducing Employee Burnout and Optimizing Organizational Thriving (REBOOT) Task Force will be discussed by attendees for their applicability in mental health organizations.

Morning Session
Veterans Hall 3

Nothing About Us Without Us: Inclusive Strategies to Advocate for “Big Picture” Changes
Heather Rodriguez
Vice President of Recovery Advocacy and Programs
Director, Indiana Recovery Network
Mental Health America of Indiana

Charmin Gabbard
Executive Director and Co-founder
Connection Café

Aisha Diss
Founder & Executive Director
project.ME

Track: Skills Development (Recovery Support)

The purpose of this workshop is to gain advocacy skills on the individual, community, and state or federal level. Attendees will leave with an increased understanding on how advocacy at all levels helps facilitate “Big Picture” change to advance the recovery movement.

Morning Session
Veterans Hall 4

Disaster Behavioral Health Fundamentals: Understanding the Field and Opportunities for Involvement
Jennifer Stansberry Miller
Vice President, Crisis Services
Mental Health America of Indiana

Kimble Richardson, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, LCAC
Manager of Business Development and Coordinator of Indiana’s District 5 REST Team
Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health

Track: Skills Development

Our presentation on Disaster Behavioral Health explores the critical role of mental health professionals in disaster planning, response, and recovery. We will explore the psychological impacts of disasters and the strategies to promote resilience and well-being in affected individuals and communities.

Key Concepts: We begin by highlighting the barious emotional and psychological responses during and post disasters will be discussed. Recognizing and addressing reactions promptly will be emphasized. Evidence-Based

Approaches: Our presentation emphasizes applying evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies, such as psychological first aid, crisis counseling, and self-care techniques, will be presented. All strategies and interventions are designed to support First Responders, professionals, the bereaved, and survivors.

Building Resilience: Resilience is a core focus. We will explore how protective factors, community engagement, and social support networks contribute to resilience-building. We promote long-term recovery by empowering individuals and communities with coping skills and a sense of agency.

Conclusion: Disaster behavioral health professionals are essential in helping individuals and communities navigate disasters’ emotional and psychological challenges. Our presentation will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of disaster survivors and learn how to be involved, fostering a more resilient and hopeful future.

Morning Session
Veterans Hall 5

Prevention Messaging: Evidence-Based Practices for Public Health
Dane Minnick
Prevention Bureau Chief
Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction

Track: Skills Development

This session will examine the fundamentals of evidence-based prevention practices and will describe how to effectively implement prevention messaging and public health social marketing campaigns with diverse populations. The discussion will also highlight how to avoid common practice mistakes such as employing scare tactics and utilizing public speakers or public assemblies. Participants will be able to identify specific prevention messaging and campaign strategies at the end of the presentation.

Morning Session
Salon 6

Indiana’s Governor’s Challenge To Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF)
Bryan Schmidt
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Michelle Bulington

Track: Suicide Prevention

  1. Identifying Service Members, Veterans and their Families and Screen for Suicide Risk
  2. Promote Connectedness and Improve Care Transitions
  3. Increase Lethal Means Safety and Safety Planning

Morning Session
Salon 7

Indiana CHAMP Program Progress Report and Case Studies
Camila Arnaudo, MD
IU School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Track: Research

This workshop will give an update on the current progress of Indiana’s first perinatal and general mental health access program. We will discuss the first year of the program and its enrollment numbers and information on initial consults. Speaker will use case studies to give examples of how the program provides consultations to providers in Indiana.

Morning Session
Salon 8

Stigma of Mental Illness and Addiction: From Science to Action
Bernice A. Pescosolido
Distinguished Professor of Sociology / Director, Irsay Institute
Indiana University

Track: Research

Since the mid-1990s, research on stigma has experienced a resurgence. IU has been a leader in trying to understand the roots of stigma and powerful levers for change. This presentation will feature IU’s Distinguished Professor who has led their scientific efforts, providing a refresher, an up-to-date status report, and a college effort to translate the science into programs and policies.

Morning Session
Freedom Hall B

Mapping the Criminal Justice System Through SIM
Steve R. Kelly
Director of Court Services
Dearborn County Court Services

Aaron Spaulding
IRACS Program Manager
Choices Coordinated Care Solutions & 1Voice

Track: Skills Development

Discussion of the impacts of the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) in Dearborn County.

Morning Session
Private Dining Room

Alcohol Use Disorder ECHO Training Program
Melissa A. Cyders, PhD
Full Professor and Director of Clinical Training
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Track: Research

In this workshop, we will discuss the need in the state of Indiana for additional training for health providers on the science of Alcohol Use Disorder and evidence-based treatments for this disorder. We will discuss the use of an ECHO training program to provide broad access to this training. We will also discuss initial proposed content to cover, as well as view examples of the content and the training approach. We will also cover how to register for and participate in ECHO programs at the IU School of Medicine.


11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

BREAK & EXHIBIT HALL

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Liberty Hall

Heroes Testimonial

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Liberty Hall

Heroes Luncheon

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM

BREAK & EXHIBIT HALL

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Afternoon Keynote
Liberty Hall

Working when the pressure’s on: Preventing burnout and protecting wellbeing
Jolie Wills, M.Sc. Cognitive Psychology
CEO Americas
Hummingly

Track: Skills Development

Prolonged pressure is hazardous and creates risk for you, your team, and your organization’s mission. We cannot afford to get this wrong. However, with the right tools, supports and strategies, we can tip the scales from harm to growth.

This session explores how to protect the wellbeing of mission-driven people operating under cumulative and prolonged pressure.

As a cognitive scientist and specialist in large-scale disaster, Jolie shares insights from cognitive science, global research and decades of leading teams in high-pressure, high-stake environments. This session will unearth the skills that expert disaster professionals use to perform and stay well during extreme events. These hard won insights, tested under intense pressure, have the power to turn the tide on burnout and protect the wellbeing of people on a mission.

You can look forward to a session filled with stories, science and practical strategies that you can take away for immediate impact for you, your team and your organizational mission.

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

BREAK & EXHIBIT HALL

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Afternoon Session
Liberty Hall

Let’s Talk Mental Health – a panel of teen advocates embracing empathy and creating change
Karin Gilbert, MEd, CYC-P
Indiana Regional Program Manager
Bring Change to Mind

Annie Cole
Indiana Regional Program Associate
Bring Change to Mind

Track: Skills Development

The Covid pandemic hasn’t been easy, for any of us, but our youth have felt the impacts more than anyone. They are struggling. Across the country, we are experiencing a youth mental health crisis. Nearly one in three parents have shared that their children’s emotional health is worse than before the pandemic and there’s been a dramatic increase in the proportion of children and youth going to emergency departments for mental health crises. Even before the pandemic, here in Indiana, suicide was the second leading cause of death for 12–17-year-old youth. This isn’t a new problem, and it isn’t one that is going away without all of us working together to end it.

There are many unknowns about where the mental health crisis is going and the Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) High School Program is a proven blueprint peer-to-peer intervention model that works. Our Program gives teens a platform to share their voices and raise awareness around mental health. Our goal is to empower students to educate one another, and their communities, and to create a culture of peer support within their schools. Together, we’ll fight the stigma around mental illness and save lives.

In this session, you will hear from a panel of student leaders in the Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) High School Club Program. They will discuss how the pandemic has affected mental health and teen suicide among themselves and their peers, how their BC2M club is addressing these challenges, and how community partners can get involved with youth mental health.

Afternoon Session
Veterans Hall 1

Examining Impacts of Substance Use Before Birth and Beyond
Jackie Franks, Executive Director
Indiana Alliance on Prenatal Substance Exposure

Anne Gabbert, Education and Resource Manager
INfancy Onward

Track: Skills Development

This session will discuss the impact of substance use on brain development in the developing fetus and beyond birth. Presenters will cover the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, their associated symptoms and the risk factors. The session will also explain the impact of trauma on the brain. Common developmental milestones and protective factors will be discussed. Audience members will leave the session with an increased knowledge of resources for families and caregivers and where to access them.

Afternoon Session
Veterans Hall 2

Psychological Safety: The Foundation of Emotional Wellness Within the Workplace
Karisa Vandeventer, MA, LCAC, LMHC
Deputy Director of Education and Credentialing
Mental Health America of Indiana

Track: Skills Development

With more than 160 million people participating in the United States workforce and with the average full-time worker in the United States spending about half of their waking life at work, workplaces play a significant role in shaping our emotional wellness. Workplace leaders have a unique opportunity support a foundation for work place well-being through creating a culture of psychological safety within their organizations.

Afternoon Session
Veterans Hall 3

Recovery Support Professionalism through Active and Reflective Listening/ Foundational Upskilling
Gina Fears
MHAI Peer Innovation Manager
MHAI ICAADA, SWD Training Institute, IAPRSS

Hana Tingle
Outcomes Coordinator
Mental Health America of Indiana

Track: Skills Development (Recovery support)

This workshop will offer an interactive opportunity for Recovery Support professionals to tune in to their Communication/listening skills and access where Upskilling and Tune Ups are needed.

Afternoon Session
Veterans Hall 4

Expanding Services for Indiana Youth and Families Exposed to Trauma
Zachary Adams, PhD, HSPP
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Children’s Health

Track: Research

Indiana children and families experience various types of trauma and adversity at rates equal to or higher than national averages. These experiences can have short- and long-term impacts on youth health and development. In this session, participants will learn about the connections between childhood trauma and behavioral health, as well as current strategies and resources for promoting healing and resilience in this population. The session will include an overview of new initiatives to build workforce capacity for trauma-focused behavioral health services in Indiana, as well as a discussion of innovative strategies for delivering trauma-focused care to youth and families nationally and internationally.

Afternoon Session
Veterans Hall 5

Reflecting on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Youth Perspectives
Kate Schedel, MPH
Program Director for Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health
Indiana Department of Health

Track: Skills Development

Join the Indiana Department of Health, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, and their joint Indiana Youth Advisory Board representatives for an overview of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and followed by a panel of youth experts as they reflect on the survey results. If you are an educator, a community-based organization, or anyone who creates and hosts youth programming – this session is for you. IYAB representatives will share their perspectives to inform future work. You won’t want to miss it!

Afternoon Session
Salon 6

CANCELLED: Suicide Fatality Reviews and How to Take Community Action
Caitlyn Short, MPH
Suicide and Overdose Fatality Review Program Director
Indiana Department of Health

Track: Suicide Prevention

This workshop will provide a description of what fatality review is, Indiana suicide and overdose data and trends, the Indiana Suicide and Overdose Fatality Review (SOFR) Program, and ways you can support suicide and overdose prevention in your community.

Afternoon Session
Salon 7

L.O.S.S. Teams: An Instillation of Hope to Loss Survivors
Denise Meine-Graham
C.T. (Certified Thanatologist) and TRCC (Trauma Responsive Care Certified)
Postvention Consulting, LLC

Track: Suicide Prevention

L.O.S.S. Teams provide immediate support, resources, and hope to people impacted by a suicide loss AND teams are forming all across Indiana!

Participants of this workshop will learn more about the importance of L.O.S.S. Teams, how they function, and next steps they can take to partner with an existing team or start their own team.

Participants will also hear directly from new L.O.S.S. Team leaders across the state about their recent experience in launching a team and next steps for L.O.S.S. Teams in Indiana.

Afternoon Session
Salon 8

Expanding Indiana’s Capacity to Serve Youth with Serious Conduct Problems: Statewide Implementation of Multisystemic Therapy
Gabriela M. Rodriguez, PhD, HSPP
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine

Amanda Vivian Broderick, PhD, HSPP
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry
Indiana University School of Medicine

Track: Research

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an evidence-based intervention for youth at risk of severe system consequences due to serious externalizing and/or delinquent behaviors (e.g., criminal activity, substance use) and their families. Youth and families receive treatment within the systems in which they are embedded, such as their homes, schools, and communities, via licensed MST providers, which consist of a team (or teams) of 2-4 therapists and a supervisor. MST teams are on call 24/7 to provide treatment when and where it is needed—within any combination of these systems—and are dedicated to improving youth and family functioning. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction has invested in a statewide implementation of MST in collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine. We will review the research evidence supporting positive outcomes following family participation in MST and present data from the statewide implementation process in Indiana to date. Participants will learn about how the MST model engages key stakeholders to systematically address high-risk behaviors (e.g., aggression, substance use). We will use case examples to demonstrate developing and implementing interventions that target drivers of youth conduct problems across five domains (individual, family, school, community, and peers).

Afternoon Session
Freedom B

The Benefits and Risks of ADHD Medication: Evidence from Real-World Practice
Brian D’Onofrio
Sharon Stephens Brehm Endowed Professor
Indiana University

Track: Suicide Prevention

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common neurodevelopmental disorder, is associated with impaired socioemotional functioning, increased risk behaviors, substance problems, and suicidality. Thus, determining the most effective treatment for ADHD is an important public health priority. ADHD treatment guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy, such as stimulant medications, frequently in combination with behavioral treatments. These recommendations are largely based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have documented large effects of medications on ADHD symptoms. Although RCTs are considered the gold standard for evaluating medications, it is not feasible or ethical to conduct a trial of sufficient duration, size, and generalizability to evaluate serious outcomes among diverse populations. One increasingly recognized approach to address these issues is the analysis of administrative healthcare data to generate “real-world evidence.” This presentation will describe how large-scale observational studies by our team and others have extended the findings from RCTs of ADHD medications. Analyses of nation-wide samples in the US and Sweden using advanced analytic approaches and design features, such as the comparison of risks within individuals, have demonstrated functional benefits of ADHD medications. For example, stimulant medications were associated with fewer substance problems, suicidal behaviors, and other impairing behavioral outcomes.

Afternoon Session
Private Dining Room

Not In My Backyard – Recovery Residence Best Practices
Linda Stevens
Program Manager – INARR
Mental Health America of Indiana

Track: Skills Development

Raising awareness on the benefits of having a Recovery Residence in your Neighborhood.