Schedule

Day One Breakouts

Title: Now Is the Time to Address Suicide in Schools: What Needs to Change
Speaker: Dr. Aruna Jha, Melissa Bleiler, Dr. Choton Baus, Nicholas Bur, Angela Howard, Larry Leinberger

Description: Suicide in schools in a sentinel event that is of utmost concern and sparks fear in all of us. Even as our youth continue to struggle with suicidal thoughts and behavior at increasing rates, we are challenged by how to understand and address the issues sustainably. Now is the time to talk about how we tie together what we learn in these two days to bring change to our schools, our district, and our communities for more impactful suicide prevention. In this workshop, we bring the collective experiences of mental health and school professionals who have engaged in a district-wide suicide prevention program, from training to implementation, and share lessons learned.

Learning Objectives

• Review school-based suicide prevention programs: impact during the pandemic
• Share/Understand lessons learned from a school district’s perspective
• Address need for system-wide implementation strategies
• Discuss strategies for their own school district

Title: Trap Therapy
Speaker: Tarsha Wiggins

Description: The pandemic has brought mental health to the national stage and the world is talking about it. However, all conservations are not filled with hope and solutions suitable for everyone.  Mental Health needs have increased at disproportionate rates among Blacks and unfortunately stigma and shame has also. There are a variety of barriers that inhabits individuals from seeking help such as poverty, racial discrimination, inequalities and perhaps more importantly guilt, shame, and stigma. Consequently, there was an emerging need for a solution that draws engagement and normalizes discussions about mental health all occurring within an individual’s community. Thus, the emergence of Trap Therapy which uses music to draw engagement and comfort which is coupled with psychoeducation that is cultural relevant, inclusive, and implemented with dynamic energy. 

Title: School Social Work in Wisconsin: Trends, Needs, and Best Practices
Speaker: UW-Whitewater Social Work Department

Description: The social work profession is working to answer the demands for more school social workers, including social workers from diverse backgrounds. 2019 data from the Wisconsin Information System for Education (WISE), collected by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) found that the median number of students per school-based mental health professional (counselor, psychologist, or school social worker combined) was 266, with a mean of 293 students per one mental health professional. Currently, the ratio of school social workers to students in Wisconsin is 1:1,936, far exceeding the recommended ratio is 1:250

This session will include information on the state of school social work in Wisconsin as well as a panel of experts who will share information on social emotional learning, tiered interventions utilized in schools, best practices when working with LGBTQ+ students and students experiencing homelessness. The session with conclude with a discussion on the different pathways to obtaining your school social work license.

Day Two Breakouts

Title: Moving beyond symptoms: A clinical deep dive into Psychosis
Speaker: Dr. Steven Dykstra

Description: Steven Dykstra, Ph.D has been a Psychologist with Milwaukee County for almost 30 years, serving in a variety of roles. Currently, his areas of emphasis are crisis, trauma, severe mental illness including Psychosis, and training and consultation. Dr. Dykstra provides clinical oversight for the Wraparound Milwaukee First Episode Psychosis and Clinical High Risk for Psychosis programs. This session is geared toward clinicians working with people living with Psychosis, and intended to move beyond symptom recognition and response toward a deeper exploration of efforts toward recovery. Participants will learn about the current standard of care, explore treatment components and the continuum of importance to guide treatment planning, and effective utilization of a team approach to support clients and caregivers.

Title: Psychosis: Knowing what to look for shapes what we see
Speaker: Dr. Steven Dykstra

Description: Psychosis may not be what you think it is or look how you might think it does. Early identification of Psychosis can be difficult, but is incredibly important in getting people off to a good start toward a lifetime of recovery and managing mental illness and health. This presentation will help participants become more aware of the general signs and symptoms of psychosis, see opportunities for intervention through recognition, and offer ways to support to youth and families living with Psychosis through the education, justice, and child welfare systems.

Title: Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework
Speaker: Liz Krubsack and Jessica Frain

Description: This session will introduce participants to the Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework, which provides a vision for advancing health and educational equity through the implementation of Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems. Participants will gain an accurate understanding of mental health and how we can promote wellbeing in schools through collaboration between schools and community supports.  Participants will share insight and feedback regarding strengths and barriers to building collaborative systems that serve all students. 

Title: Lived Experience Panel
Speaker: Milkweed Connections LLC

Description: Three certified peer specialists from rural, Western Wisconsin will share about their experiences navigating school and life as people with lived experience with mental health and substance use challenges, trauma, and neurodivergence, as well as their experience with providing peer support to young people. Rachel Hayden, Hope Kissinger, and Kate Laird work with Milkweed Connections, a peer-run organization based out of Menomonie. Milkweed Connections provides peer support, life skills training, and holistic health services through the Choices First Episode Psychosis program, Alternative Treatment Court programs, CCS, CLTS, CSP, and to Menomonie High School youth.

Title: Personal Medicine
Speaker: Milkweed Connections LLC

Description: Personal Medicine is an emerging evidence-based practice developed by Pat Deegan, Ph.D. Distinct from coping skills, it teaches you to listen to your inner wisdom and use it for your recovery and well-being in the way that only you can do it! Learning Objectives: Participants will understand what makes Personal Medicine a distinct practice and how it can also be used alongside other means of recovery such as peer support, pharmaceutical medications, therapy, and coping skills. Learn how Personal Medicine coaches are "disruptive innovators" within the mental health system. Gain an understanding of the ways Personal Medicine evokes each person's unique wisdom. The intended audience includes any mental health professionals, peer supporters, and others who want to learn how to evoke and explore people's inner wisdom in service of recovery and well-being. Presenters: Hope Kissinger Certified Peer Specialist, Personal Medicine Coach Trainer, Recovery Coach, Yoga Teacher, Milkweed Connections Hope has struggled with substance use disorder as well as mental health challenges related to substance use disorder. Hope is in recovery and working a 12-step program; however, she understands all recoveries look different and what works for one person may not be the solution for someone else. With a strong commitment to change and belief that recovery is possible for everyone, she helps each person find fulfilling experiences and harmony. Rachel Hayden Certified Personal Medicine Coach Trainer, Certified Peer Specialist, Milkweed Connections As a founding member of peer-run Milkweed Connections, Rachel has been providing peer-based services since 2017 for multiple programs, often working with queer and trans youth. She has mentored and collaborated with cognitive science and psychology professors to advance models of both peer support and gender. In 2021 she became one of Wisconsin's first Personal Medicine coaches and trainers.