For Immediate Release NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Holds State Conference to Focus on Mental Health, Violence, and Stigma Harrisburg, Pa. - NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is hosting its annual state mental health and wellness conference in Harrisburg Monday, March 12 - Tuesday, March 13. The two-day event is bringing together experts from across the state to discuss the stigma and stereotypes facing individuals and families affected by mental illness. “Stigma is one of the main reasons people don’t seek treatment,” said Christine Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania. While the conference will cover the many stereotypes associated with mental illness, the keynote address will tackle the most controversial - violence. “Research shows that the majority of people living with mental illness are not violent,” said Michaels. “But for the small percentage who are, there needs to be a support system in place to help those individuals and their families and that’s what we’ll be talking about.” Keynote presenters include Edward Mulvey, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Law and Psychiatry Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Jack Cahalane, PhD, MPH, Chief of Adult Services and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s Mental Health and Wellness Conference, Champions of Mental Wellness: Fighting Stigma and Stereotypes in the System and Society is being held Monday, March 12 from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 13 from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Best Western Premier, The Central Hotel and Conference Center at 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, Pa. Registration is required. |
