Mental Health KC Fall Symposium to Address Substance Use and Recovery
Kansas City, MO — Substance abuse continues to devastate communities across the nation, but the impact is personal. The CDC reports 112,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2023 alone. A recent WalletHub report ranks Missouri as having the 6th largest drug problem in the country, with Kansas not far behind at 19th. In response to the crisis, the 2024 Mental Health KC Fall Symposium: Substance Use and Recovery will bring together experts and advocates. The event aims to provide critical insights and practical solutions to tackle the devastating impact of substance use on our region and that recovery is possible and communities play a vital role in the recovery process.
Event Details:
2024 Mental Health KC Fall Symposium: Substance Use and Recovery
Date: Monday, November 18, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
(Check-in begins at 12:00 pm; Conference begins at 12:30 pm)
Location: Johnson County Community College, Regnier Center; Overland Park, KS 66210
The symposium will feature expert speakers and breakout sessions addressing key topics related to substance use and recovery. The keynote speaker is Jennifer Wolfe-Brown, EPICC Program Director at CommCARE. A passionate advocate for individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUD), Wolfe-Brown brings a unique perspective, combining years of lived experience and professional expertise. She is an advocate of the medication first model, which has been especially effective in addressing the opioid crisis because it quickly meets the medical needs of those struggling with addiction, helping prevent overdose deaths and allowing them to regain stability in their lives. The EPICC program has received statewide attention for its success in promoting recovery.
Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from five engaging breakout sessions that will span the continuum of overdose prevention:
Prevention: Examining strategies to prevent substance use before it starts.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Discussing the benefits of MAT in substance use recovery.
Harm Reduction: Exploring nonjudgmental approaches to minimizing the negative effects of substance use.
Invitation to Change: Introducing a compassionate, evidence-based approach for supporting loved ones in their recovery journey.
Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: Understanding how employers can support employees in recovery.
For more information and to register, visit https://mentalhealthkc.org/fall-symposium/
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About Metro Council
The Mental Health KC Fall Symposium is operated by the Metropolitan Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers (“Metro Council”), which represents nine public mental health organizations in the Greater Kansas City area. The Metro Council is a collaborative nonprofit organization serving the Greater Metropolitan Kansas City area. It provides ongoing educational programs, information and resources to both mental health professionals and the general public. It is the mission of Metro Council to build a stronger safety net of local community behavioral health centers to provide Kansas Citians with behavioral health services, regardless of who they are, where they live or their ability to pay.