Mental Health Matters
Mental health matters for people of all ages, and it is a growing concern for our youth. Join us to learn more and get connected to school and community resources!
Breakout sessions will cover mental health basics, signs and symptoms, strategies to support your student, and self care. Additional sessions will explore mental health from a cultural perspective and considerations for LGBTQ students.
Mental Health Matters
6:00 - 6:15 p.m. - Welcome/Resource Tables
6:15 - 7:00 p.m. - Breakout Session I (options listed below)
7:00 - 7:15 p.m. - Resource Tables
7:15 - 8:00 p.m. - Breakout Session II (options listed below)
Breakout session options and resource providers listed below.
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022, 06:00 PM
Valley Southwoods Freshman High School South 35th Street, West Des Moines, IA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Breakout Session Presentations:
Mental Health Basics: what it is, why it matters, and what you can do
Alex Rohn, Please Pass the Love
Please Pass the Love will provide participants a brief overview of mental health; definitions, stigma, statistics and signs of distress, as well as inform participants of how to have conversations about mental health with their children and what to do in a mental health crisis.
Self-Care Matters
Breakout Session I
Elementary West Des Moines Counselors
Participants will gain a better understanding of self-care and will learn tools to help their children deal with stress. Youth attendees will also learn healthy habits to manage stress.
You Matter!: Addressing Mental Health from a Cultural Perspective
Breakout Session I
Rebecca Peterson, MS, CADC, LMHC, Director/Mental Health Therapist, MercyOne House of Mercy
Lynn Giang, BS, Resident Counselor, MercyOne House of Mercy
Erin Jones, LMSW, Mental Health Therapist, MercyOne House of Mercy
Participants will learn how to help create a more equitable community by addressing mental health through a cultural lens. Issues related to stigma, barriers to accessing mental health services, and mistrust within the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community will be addressed. Participants will increase awareness and knowledge, by learning best practices from mental health professionals who strive to provide culturally competent care. Participants will leave with a list of our favorite mental health resources designed specifically for a diverse audience.
Let’s Talk about Anxiety
Breakout Session II
Amanda Khader & Nicole Taylor, Heartland Area Education Agency
Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety in children, teens, and adults. Presenters will teach and demonstrate different coping tools and ways to manage negative thinking traps. Participants will learn more about anxiety, managing anxiety, and finding additional resources for anxiety.
Mental Health Considerations for LGBTQ Students
Breakout Session II
Jordan Mix (they/them), Director of Educational Programming, Iowa Safe Schools.
Learners will discuss the mental health disparities between LGBTQ youth and non-LGBTQ youth, including common mental health concerns, barriers to accessing mental health care, and many potential root causes of high anxiety and depression rates among LGBTQ Youth. Learners will develop an understanding of the school’s role in supporting the mental health of LGBTQ students, and discuss strategies to improve LGBTQ student experience in West Des Moines schools.
Mental Health 101; When to Worry
Breakout Session II
Julie Gibbons, MPA, IMH-E® Polk County Health Services
Participants will discuss how parents and schools can promote youth mental wellness. They will learn how to identify and support students impacted by mental health concerns, and how to recognize the signs of suicidality.
Additional Resource Providers:
Mental Health Matters presented in partnership by:
Please contact Shahna Janssen with event questions.