September 23, 2019
This regional mental health conference is designed for mental health providers, primary care providers, educators, law enforcement officials, and other community stakeholders. This year’s event features a keynote address by U.S. Army Veteran, Retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant, and Suicide Prevention expert, Kevin Briggs.
On October 3-4, 2019, the Beaverhead County Mental Health Local Advisory Council (LAC), in cooperation with the Madison County LAC, will be hosting the 3rd Annual Big Sky Behavioral Health Summit. The focus of this year’s summit will be growing your trauma responsive tool box and will once again include a nationally-renowned panel of presenters. The summit consists of two full days of presentation including interactive tool kit workshops and a lunch and learn panel discussion on day two.
Trauma responsive care is a community-based approach to childcare that involves a broad understanding of the impact of toxic stress and trauma on the brains of children. It is believed that such an approach can help to more effectively treat and avoid severe mental health issues, lower school suspensions, enhance resilience, avoid future medical issues, and reduce the rates of suicide and criminal behavior.
Perhaps the highlight of the event will be the keynote address to be delivered by Kevin Briggs. Sgt. Briggs retired from the CHP in November 2013 to promote Crisis Management, Leadership Skills, and Suicide Intervention/Prevention worldwide. He continues speaking and teaching at conferences and law enforcement events, as well as consulting and advising major corporations. The summit will also include nationally renowned Ijeoma Achara from her Chicago-based Achara Consulting and Bucknell University Professor Judith Grisel who is the author of recent New York Times Best Seller Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction.
In addition to Brigg, Achara and Grisel, the summit welcomes a slate of Montana behavioral health experts who will present a variety interactive workshops designed for attendees to collect tools they may use when they are face-to-face with clients who have experienced trauma. Of note is a presentation about community suicide prevention efforts by Montana State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Karl Rosston. Also from Montana the summit will feature One Montana Mental Health Education Outreach Director Dr. William R. Bryan, Montana State University professors Dr. Benjamin Oosterhoff and Dr. Mark Schure. Also featured will be Tumbleweed Runaway Program’s Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program Coordinator Georgia Cady.
Summit programming will resonate with a broad range of professionals, including mental health providers, addiction care providers, primary care providers, all medical staff, law enforcement officials, and public service/elected officials. All are welcome and we encourage community members to attend who would like to become more trauma informed and enhance their insight regarding mental health issues.
The cost of the two-day summit is $150 and 13.0 Idaho and Montana CE’s will be available at no extra cost. 13.0 OPI Renewal Units will also be available for Montana teachers at no extra cost. Additionally, one undergraduate EDU credit will be available through the Montana Western School of Outreach at an additional cost of $115. Registration and payment for the single credit will take place on site the morning of day one check-in. Summit registration and information, including the summit schedule, can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sky-behavioral-health-summit-tickets-59786765826. To register, simply click on “tickets,” then follow the registration instructions – a credit or debit card will be required.
For more information, please email [email protected] or call (406) 925-0642.
