Youth Mental Health Resiliency Summit

Welcome to the Youth and Mental Health Resiliency Summit where we are “Building Resilient Futures: Uniting Our Community for Youth Mental Health.”

Overview: We are excited to present the Youth and Mental Health Resiliency Summit, a cornerstone event of our community-led campaign. This summit aims to unite organizations, schools, and churches dedicated to youth well-being, fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance youth mental health resilience.

Objectives for the summit:

Cost: This summit is FREE to attend thanks to our partners and sponsors. 

Partners and Sponsors supporting this collaborative program:

Additional sponsorships are available. Please contact Dr. Liz Kerns at Liz.Kerns@indwes.edu.

Schedule for the Youth Mental Health Resiliency Summit. Additional speakers to be announced!

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Registration and Welcome Coffee

Registration (Kokomo Thriving Center Entry) 

Coffee, Breakfast, and Networking (KTC West Hallway)

Sponsor: Mental Health America – Wabash Valley Region

Resource Fair Tables for Kokomo and Howard County Nonprofit Council and Faith Leader Council organizations (KTC 102 / West Hallway)

8:30 AM – 8:40 AM: Welcome to the Summit (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Dr. Liz Kerns, Indiana Wesleyan University National & Global

8:40 AM - 10:00 AM: General Session 1: “Understanding the Youth Mental Health Crisis, Issues, and Current Landscape in Indiana Including Legislative Update” with Q&A Session; Mayoral proclamation presentation by Mayor Tyler Moore recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in Kokomo (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Brandi Christiansen, President, Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region, and Mayor Tyler Moore, City of Kokomo

Description: Benchmarking the Youth and Mental Health Crisis, outlining the issues, understanding the current landscape locally to nationally, and Indiana legislative updates around the topic; presentation by mayoral proclamation recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month by Mayor Tyler Moore, City of Kokomo; Overview of some of the work being done locally to collaboratively understand and address youth and mental health resiliency by the more than 120 members of the Kokomo and Howard County Nonprofit Council and Faith Leader Council.

10:00 AM - 10:10 AM: Break

10:10 AM - 10:55 AM: Breakout Session 1 (Concurrent Sessions)

Breakout Session 1A: “Breaking the Silence: Addressing Stigmas Surrounding Youth Mental Health and Youth Empowerment through Advocacy" (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Dr. Matt Oliver, Executive Director, Lutherwood Residential Treatment Center, Community Health Network - Lutheran Child and Family Services Partnership

Description: Focus on recognizing signs and addressing stigmas; Focus on overcoming societal stigmas and fostering an environment where young individuals feel comfortable discussing mental health; Empower young individuals to become advocates for their mental health and discuss effective ways to amplify their voices

Breakout Session 1B: “Tech Talk: Navigating the Digital Landscape and Social Media on Youth Mental Health.” (KTC 117)

Speakers:  Rick Baretto, CEO, Hope Training Academy; Danielle Majors, MSW, LCSW, Regional Director of Operations, Ambulatory Services, Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health Howard, a Department of Community Howard Regional Health; and Emily Ogle, Children’s Department Assistant, Kokomo Howard County Public Library

Description: Discuss the role of technology in the lives of youth and strategies for promoting positive online mental health; Explore the impact of social media on youth mental health and strategies for fostering a positive online environment.

Breakout Session 1C:  "Faith-Based Support: Strengthening Youth Mental Health through Spiritual Connections" (KTC 104)

Speaker: Susan Zody, Executive Director, Narrow Gate Horse Ranch; Additional speakers to be announced

Description: Explore how faith communities can play a vital role in supporting the mental health of young individuals.

10:55 AM - 11:05 AM: Break

11:05 AM - 11:50 PM: Breakout Session 2 (Concurrent Sessions)

Breakout Session 2A: "Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention for Youth" (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Stafka Poweleit, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director, Mental Health America, Wabash Valley Region; Danielle Majors, MSW, LCSW, Regional Director of Operations, Ambulatory Services, Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health Howard, a Department of Community Howard Regional Health; and Jennie Voelker, Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health Howard, a Department of Community Howard Regional Health

Description: Address the critical topic of crisis intervention and suicide prevention specific to youth, providing practical tools and resources; Highlight QPR training strategies

Breakout Session 2B: "Coaching for Youth Learning Reinforcement: Strategies for Educators and Mentors in Promoting Mental Health and Learning” (KTC 117)

Speakers: Kalena James, Coaching Faculty and K12 Coaching Bootcamp Instructor, Indiana Wesleyan University; and Abby Wright, Western School Corporation and Howard County Health Department Doctoral Intern 

Description: Provide actionable tools to create a supportive and resilient learning environment; Delve into the power of coaching techniques for educators and mentors working with youth in diverse settings such as classrooms, after-school programs, community organizations, churches, and more. Discover how coaching can be instrumental in reinforcing learning and promoting mental health resilience among young learners. This session welcomes educators, mentors, program coordinators, community leaders, and anyone involved in educating and empowering youth across various environments. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies for creating supportive and resilient learning environments that nurture both academic growth and holistic well-being.

Breakout Session 2C: "Holistic Wellness: Integrating Physical and Mental Health for Youth" (KTC 104)

Speaker: Danielle Majors, MSW, LCSW, Regional Director of Operations, Ambulatory Services, Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health Howard, a Department of Community Howard Regional Health; and Additional speakers to be announced.

Description: Discuss the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being, providing holistic strategies for youth resilience

11:50 AM - 12:00 PM: Break

12:00 PM – 1:50 PM: Lunch and General Session 2: Indiana Youth Institute’s “Youth Worker Café” Luncheon on “Building Blocks of Resiliency” (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Dr. Robin Donaldson, Chief Operations Officer, Indiana Youth Services Association, with Jennifer Lombard, North Central Outreach Manager, Indiana Youth Institute

Sponsor: Indiana Youth Institute

1:50 PM - 2:00 PM: Break

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: General Session 3: “Community Collaboration for Youth Mental Health Resilience” (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Monica Heltz, Director, Fishers Health Department  

Description: Community collaboration is key to understanding, recognizing, and addressing mental health resiliency. StigmaFree Fishers, a nationally recognized community initiative led by the Fishers (IN) Health Department, has found unique and holistic ways to bring parts of the community together to address mental health. Director Monica Heltz will share how Fishers, IN is working towards a “StigmaFree Fishers”. 

2:30 PM - 2:40 PM: Break

2:40 PM – 3:25 PM: Breakout Session 3 (Concurrent Sessions)

Breakout Session 3A: "Connecting Hearts and Minds: Effective Communication and Coaching Strategies for Adults Working with Youth” (KTC 114/116)

Speaker: Kalena James, Coaching Faculty and K12 Coaching Bootcamp Instructor, Indiana Wesleyan University 

Description: Explore practical and empathetic communication and coaching approaches that build trust and open dialogue with young people leveraging coaching skills; Strategies for open and supportive communication.

Breakout Session 3B: “Beyond Labels: Understanding and Nurturing Diverse Perspectives on Youth Mental Health" (KTC 117)

Speaker:  Dr. Lorelei Walker, Sr. Director of Community Resilience, United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties (and Sr. Director, Public Health Solutions, and Sr. Director of Public Health Training, Institute for Social Public Health); and Lisa Washington, Executive Director, Indiana Minority Health Coalition Howard County

Description: Explore the intersectionality of mental health and diversity, emphasizing inclusive approaches to support all youth.

Breakout Session 3C: “Peer Support and Mentoring Networks: Building Stronger Communities for Youth in Community Programs and in School” (KTC 104)

Speakers: Kareen Dune, Youth Programs, Kokomo Urban Outreach; Stafka Poweleit, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director, Mental Health America, Wabash Valley Region; and Additional speakers to be announced

Description: Practical strategies for educators and education leaders; Discuss the role of peer support networks in creating a sense of belonging and understanding among youth facing mental health challenges.

3:25 PM - 3:30 PM: Break 

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM: General Session 4: “45 ideas in 45 minutes for Community Next Steps” (KTC 114/116)

Facilitated by Dr. Liz Kerns, Indiana Wesleyan University National & Global with Dr. Lorelei Walker, United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties, and Megan Henry, Kokomo Housing Authority

Description: Join this fast-paced session where audience engagement and inclusion will fuel a list of 45 ideas in 45 minutes bringing together the best ideas from the day and identifying new ways to further strengthen the fabric of our community supporting youth and mental health resilience. Attendees will have the opportunity to collectively boil down their insights from the day and bring ideas for opportunities forward resulting in 45 ideas during this final 45-minute session.