2016 Annual Conference Agenda*

The 2016 MHA Conference will have pre-conference workshops for MHA affiliates only. If MHA affiliates register for the full conference, pre-conference activities are included. All activities will be held at the Hilton Mark Center. Complete schedule TBA.

8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 a.m.
Hill Briefing

10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Program and Trainings

5:30 p.m.
Affiliate Reception

6:00 p.m.
Affiliate Dinner

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration/Check-In

8:30 am - 10:30 am
 

MHA National Board Meeting
By Invitation Only

11:00 am -12:00 pm
 

MHA National Board & Affiliate Delegate Assembly
For MHA Affiliates Only
MHA National Board Chair and President/CEO Paul Gionfriddo will review highlights from 2015 and update the field on the work of the MHA Network. Elections for new Board members occur.

12:15 pm - 2:00 pm 

2016 Annual Conference Opening Session and Luncheon
Mental Health America’s Board Chair will open the conference. MHA President and CEO will welcome conference attendees and lay out Mental Health America’s vision for our nation’s mental health and the framework for this year's conference.
Additional keynote speaker(s) TBA

2:15 pm – 3:30 pm

Breakout Sessions
Choose between four highly informative sessions based on three tracks:

The Power of Storytelling
Mental Health On and Off the Field
Gerald McRath, Marques Ogden, Robert Royal 

Non-Fiction and Reporting
Surviving Trauma and the Impact on Mental Health
Jimmie Briggs, Dr. Tama Lane

The World of Digital
Managing Mental Health: Let's Blog About It
Kimberly Zapata, Sunshine Spoils Milk; Natasha Tracy, Bipolar Burble; Douglas Cooty, A Splintered Mind 

The Power of Storytelling (2)
Author's Corner
Gayathri Ramprasad, Francisco Stork

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Afternoon Plenary
Speaker: Suzy Favor Hamilton

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Welcome Reception
Network with attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. Our warm and engaging receptions are a great way to unwind after a day of travel or Hill visits.  

6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
 

Clifford Beers Society Reception
By Invitation Only

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Clifford W. Beers Awards Dinner
At this Awards Dinner, MHA’s highest award is given in honor of Clifford W. Beers, the founder of Mental Health America and the country’s volunteer mental health advocacy movement. Created in 1976, the Clifford W. Beers Award has been presented annually to a consumer of mental health and/or substance abuse services who best reflects the example set by Beers in his efforts to improve conditions for, and attitudes toward, people with mental illnesses. MHA will also give the mPower Award, which celebrates the life and work of a teen or young adult who has spoken out about mental health issues to educate his or her peers and fight stigma.

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration/Check-In

7:00 am - 9:00 am

Exhibitor Set-Up

9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast, Ice Breaker Run Finale
Speaker: Chris Herren

9:00 am - 10:00 am 

Plenary Session
A Son’s Perspective: Talking Mental Illness with Chris Wood 

10:30 am - 11:45 am

Breakout Sessions
Choose between four highly informative sessions based on three tracks:

The Power of Storytelling
Interactive Theater and Mental Illness
Stefanie DeLeo, Jennifer Cihi 

Non-Fiction and Reporting
Influencing the Discussion Through Documentaries
Glenn Holsten, Oryx Cohen, Alivia Tagliaferri

The World of Digital
Tele-Mental Health: Exploring Access and Implementation
Mark Nolte, Scott Baker, Gina Sprague

The Power of Storytelling (2)
Using Art to Challenge Stigma: The Stories of Kristen and Elisef
Peter Bruun, Sharon Strouse 

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

2016 Media Awards Luncheon
The media play a critical role in breaking down stigma and promoting positive mental health. From individual journalists to major news networks, the media can influence how mental health is reported on, discussed, and portrayed. Each year, MHA honors media professionals who excel in their reporting and portrayal of mental health issues in news and entertainment media. The Media Awards Luncheon will highlight and honor MHA’s 2016 awardees, and showcase their important work on the mental health issue.
Emcee: Kelly Wallace, CNN
Awardees: TBA

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Networking Hour and Innovation Nation
Get a chance to mingle and chat with other registrations. We'll also give our coveted Innovation in Programming Award to one of our affiliates during this session (winner TBA).

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm 

Breakout Sessions
Choose between five highly informative sessions based on three tracks:

The Power of Storytelling
Gutless, Grateful and the Power of Words: Healing Through Our Stories
Amy Oestreicher

Non-Fiction and Reporting
Language Matters: Rethinking our Words About the Experience Called Mental Illness
Donna Hardaker

The World of Digital
Seeking Solutions Online: The New Frontier in Therapy
Beth Pausic, Brian Loew

The Power of Storytelling (2)
Speakers TBA

The Power of Stoytelling (3)
Mental Illness: A Laughing Matter!
John Shuchart

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Afternoon Plenary
Depictions in Hollywood: The Evolution of Change
Speakers: Brian Dyak, Patrick Mulcahey, Kimberly McCullough

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm

MHA Board Reception (Invite Only)

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

General Reception

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

MHA Film Festival: Exploring the World of Mental Health through Films**
MHA will kick off the evening with screenings of short and full-length films exploring the different aspects of mental illness, addiction and recovery. Panel discussions will follow.

9:30 pm -10:30 pm

VIP After Party**

7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Registration/Check-In

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Exhibit Hall Open

7:30 am - 8:00 am

Breakfast

Plenary Session
Speakers: TBA

Plenary Session
Reporting on Mental Illness; Getting the Story Right
Speakers: Rebecca Palpant Shimkets

Plenary Session
The Power of Music and Storytelling in Combatting Mental Illness
Speakers: You Rock Foundation, Neon Trees

11:15 am- 12:30 pm

Breakout Sessions
Choose between five highly informative sessions based on three tracks:

The Power of Storytelling
Mental Health and Comic Books: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D.

Non-Fiction and Reporting
Pitching and Placing Your Mental Health Message to Media
Jeanette Porter, Laura Marshall, Kristin Battista-Frazee

The World of Digital
Speakers: TBA

The Power of Storytelling (2)
Too Old For Bedtime Stories: The Change in Mental Health from Youth to Adulthood
Corie Posey, Chelsea Malone

Non-Fiction and Reporting (2)
Responsible Reporting and Portrayals: Best Practices within Diversity and Beyond
Wonderful Faison, Lucy Wilmer, Sam Nickels, Jose Campos

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Closing Keynote and Luncheon
Speaker: Kimberly Clayton Blaine