Pre-Conference and Workshops

Outpatient behavioral health providers play a crucial role in preventing suicides. Studies have shown that a substantial proportion of people who died by suicide had either been in treatment or had some recent contact with a mental health professional. Yet many providers report that they feel inadequately trained to assess, treat, and manage suicidal patients or clients. This training meets providers’ need for research-informed, skills-based training. AMSR is a one-day training for mental health professionals

Presented By: John Baker and Saddleback Church Celebrate Recovery Team

Celebrate Recovery is currently in its 24th year. It is being used in over 27,000 churches and over 2.5 million courageous individuals have completed a one year Step Study. This One-Day Seminar is for Pastors and church leaders interested in reaching out to their congregations and communities by starting a Celebrate Recovery ministry.

In this seminar you will hear from founders John and Cheryl Baker about how to start a Celebrate Recovery ministry in your church. You will learn how Celebrate Recovery can help people with any kind of hurt, hang-up, or habit including helping those struggling with co-occurring mental health conditions and addictions

Presented By: Dr. Chuck Hannaford—President, HeartLife Professional Soul Care
Dr. Tom Okamoto—Psychiatrist

In the current mental health care system, it is essential that faith-based providers advance their unique narrative. A whole-person perspective that incorporates faith and spirituality into care and treatment offers a more comprehensive and effective model of care for those afflicted with mental illness. This workshop equips clinicians and Church caregivers to better integrate faith and spirituality into practice. The morning session will present integration theories, including perspectives ranging from the intrapsychic to the community/church. The afternoon session will provide practical application. The intent of the workshop is to promote true integration and a holistic conceptualization in mental health care.

Presented by: Dr. Louise Dunn—Director, New Hope Crisis Counseling Center
Michael Donaldson—Director, Office of Pastoral Care for Families in All Stages, Diocese of Orange

The New Hope Crisis Hotline Center is a part of Catholic Charities of Orange County and the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Care fosters a family perspective in church and society, providing support for pastoral care ministries. In this training session participants will learn information on how churches and parishes can develop peer programs to support people with mental illness as well as their family members and friends. Learn how churches can play a vital role in mental wellness and learn how to recruit, screen, train volunteers and supervise staff.

Presented By: Children’s Hospital of Orange County, CA
Renae M. DuPuis, MDiv,-
Chaplain Sharonne Herbert, PhD, - Psychologist
Heather Huszti, PhD - Chief Psychologist
Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen, MD – Medical Director, Pediatric Psychiatry

Wellness for Parents: This session focuses on ways parents can incorporate wellness into their lives, especially if they are managing the mental health challenges of a child or teen. Co-presented by a psychologist and a parent/hospital chaplain, topics will include coping with the myriad of stressors, rejuvenating oneself physically, mentally and spiritually, meeting the needs of other children in the family, and finding or building a network of support. The session will also include guided practice.

Raising a Resilient Child: Childhood and parenthood are never stress-free. This session focuses on identifying key strategies parents can use to help their children and teens deal more effectively with the inevitable stresses of that are part of growing up. Drs. Huszti and Nguyen will review risk and protective factors to foster mental health and development, as well as stress management techniques that are appropriate for children, such as mindfulness and relaxation. The session will also include guided practice.

Presented By: Pastor Tommy Hilliker—Pastor of Ministry,
Saddleback Church Saddleback Church Ministry Team

This pre-conference will provide the tools you need to begin a mental health ministry in your church. Presenters will explain the Biblical foundation and guiding values behind the mental health ministry model at Saddleback Church. They will answer commonly asked questions and describe the step-by-step pathway to an effective and comprehensive mental health ministry that can be implemented by every church regardless of size.

Presented By: National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County

Come learn why self-care for family members is so important and how to support and advocate for your loved one living with mental illness. In this presentation NAMI will also model a support group and give attendees an opportunity to participate in the group. There will be time for question and answers.

Presented By: John Baker and Saddleback Church Celebrate Recovery Team

Presented By: Dr. Chuck Hannaford—President,
HeartLife Professional Soul Care Dr. Tom Okamoto—Psychiatrist

Presented By: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but they are struggling with the pain in their lives. The safeTALK training teaches members of the community to recognize people with thoughts of suicide and to connect them to suicide first aid resources. This 3-hour workshop offers tools and creative educational processes to make it possible for attendees to leave safeTALK willing and able to talk about suicide with people who are struggling.

Presented By: National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County

Hear from people living with mental illness as they share about their experiences and how NAMI Peer to Peer has helped improve their lives. Learn how this model has helped them accept their illness, recognize personal strengths, and establish healthy relationships with loved ones. This workshop will also include a support group time where participants can observe and learn from other’s experiences.

Presented By: Pastor Tommy Hilliker—Pastor of Ministry,
Saddleback Church

Every month over 2,000 people come together to find hope, strength, love, acceptance and support for life trials, traumas and tragedies. Saddleback Church offers over a 120 supports groups in 32 categories dealing with various life issues from cancer and grief to mental illness and eating disorders. In this ½ day workshop you will learn:

• Why someone comes to a support group.
• What a support group is and what it is not.
• A unique pathway to develop and train leaders.
• A system to develop a ministry and not just a group.
• How to develop support groups for teenagers.
• How to develop a launch plan to start a successful support group(s).
• Hear life-changing testimonies

Presented By: Elizabeth Styffe—Director of HIV/AIDS and Orphan Care Initiatives,
Saddleback Church
Nelba Marquez-Greene—Executive Director, The Ana Grace Project

Part One: Children From Hard Places—Practical Tools of Hope to Help Children who Struggle Children from hard places often have a vastly different lived-experience than their peers. What they have witnessed or been exposed to can lead to responses that are confusing to those who care for them. Their fear-driven behaviors can be baffling. The good news is there is hope! Designed for parents and those who are in relationship with children – including church programs - this session will explore how relationships can change the structures of the brain. While trauma harms, the right kind of nurturing heals. Learn how trauma-informed care empowers and enlightens. Gain an understanding of children’s developmental mental health needs, their responses to pain, and how you can acquire practical tools for connection through Trust Based Relational Interventions®.

Part Two: The Community as Protection Mass shootings, street crime, loss, neglect, poverty, substance abuse, fractured families and failing schools are all part of the fabric woven into our children’s reality. And this reality often leads to generations of hopelessness and despair. This reality, when paired with proper supports- can be different! We do not have to be a hopeless generation! This presentation will focus on how communities can respond after tragedy (whether they be public tragedies like Sandy Hook or more private tragedies that happen every day). Learn how there is hope in the promotion of love, community and connection among us. Learn about the Ana Grace Project. We believe we can all be a part of the solution.

Presented By: Dr. Daniel Amen—Founder and Medical Director, Amen Clinics

Learn a completely new way to assess and treat mental health issues, based on the Amen Clinics Method. This method has been developed over the last 24 years and includes 4 circle clinical histories (biological, psychological, social and spiritual information), brain SPECT imaging, structured labs and computerized neuropsychological testing to give more specific diagnoses and more targeted personalized treatment. The work is based on over 112,000 brain SPECT scans on over 60,000 patients from 111 countries.

Presented By: Rev. Talitha Arnold—Senior Minister, The United Church of Santa Fe

Research shows that people in emotional or spiritual distress initially seek help first from a faith leader rather than a therapist. Come learn what faith communities can offer in suicide prevention, how to break the silence surrounding mental illness, how to engage your community and connect with mental health allies, what to do when someone is suicidal and how to care for yourself while caring for others

Presented By: Dr. Alice Forrester—Executive Director, Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic

Many children are exposed to complex stressors that are termed “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACES). These ACES can include domestic violence, parental substance abuse, and traumatic loss. The effects of untreated ACES can result in poor health, impaired brain development, disrupted relationships and mental health issues. If addressed, children can make a resilient recovery. Come hear the research findings on ACES and learn what to do to address the widespread, but largely ignored epidemic.

Presented By: Pastor Tommy Hilliker—Pastor of Ministry, Saddleback Church Saddleback Church Ministry Team

This session will provide information to help youth leaders start conversations about mental illness with the teenagers in their church. Presenters will discuss the mental health ministry model used at Saddleback Student Ministries. They will answer commonly asked questions and describe the step-by-step pathway to an effective mental health ministry that can be implemented by every church regardless of size.

Presented By: Children’s Hospital of Orange County, CA
Dr. Heather Huszti—Chief Psychologist
Dr. Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen—Medical Director, Pediatric Psychiatry

Parents are often the first to notice when a child crosses the line between typical behavior and thoughts, emotions or actions that may signal a mental health problem. This session will help parents identify key symptoms of common childhood mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, developmental issues, or bipolar disorder. In addition to a review of symptoms, Drs. Huszti and Nguyen will discuss treatments that are available, and how parents can access help.

Presented By: Dr. Aaron Kheriaty—Professor of Psychiatry, UC Irvine

Concerns about legalizing physician assisted suicide in California have been raised by a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including disability rights organizations, medical professionals, faith-based groups, healthcare advocates and community activists. This workshop will look at SB 128 from the perspective of a psychiatrist and medical ethicist, examining some of the adverse consequences of legalizing physician assisted suicide for patients, the practice of medicine, and society. Special attention will be paid to the effects of this practice on mental health care and efforts aimed at suicide risk reduction.

Presented By: Dr. Robin Kissell—Director, UCLA BPD Initiative, Semel Institute Valerie Porr—Founder, TARA NAPD

Borderline Personality affects 2-3% of the population; it is associated with a high suicide rate and high utilization—often ineffective—of mental health resources. The disorder commonly goes misdiagnosed leading to years of ineffective treatment as well as years of emotional and financial strain on patients and their families. The last 20 years has brought about major strides in our understanding of BPD and our ability to effectively treat and intervene in its course. The first half of this workshop will provide an introductory overview of BPD; what exactly is BPD, what are the signs and symptoms, how does it develop, what is it’s course and what effectively treats it? The second half will focus on the family of those suffering from BPD and will provide basic tools that can ease family interactions and information on resources that are available to help families help their loved one.

Presented By: Dr. Warren Kinghorn—Assistant Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Divinity School Maj. Jeff Matsler—Chaplain, U.S. Army

Francesco Bernardone, also known as St. Francis of Assisi, was a combat veteran and POW who struggled deeply when he returned home from war. His personality had changed, and his family wondered if he was mentally ill. But Francis eventually found healing in the support of others, in a dramatic encounter with Jesus, and in joining with other combat veterans in rigorous service that restored their joy. In this workshop, a psychiatrist and an active-duty U.S. Army Chaplain will describe how St. Francis and the early Franciscan community can inform the way the church walks with present-day combat veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The church can and should be a place where veterans belong, are called into community and find new and faithful forms of service.

Presented By: David Mandani—Founder and CEO, Saving Face Saving Grace

Are you living with mental illness? Do you feel that you have successfully navigated finding the help you need? Have you received a diagnosis and want to learn more from others? Are you seeking answers? You may feel misunderstood, ashamed or isolated. You may feel helpless, full of disbelief or devastated. You are not alone and the good news is that people do find help, hope, renewed strength, and courage to move forward.

Presented By: Cecilia Mercado - Regional Coordinator,
Fiesta Educativa Orange County
*This workshop will be held during the lunch time hour; 12:30 – 1:30pm

Este presentación cubrirá el tema de el proceso, impacto y dificultades de tener un hijo con diagnóstico de salud mental. Aprenderán la major manera de entender el sentimiento de tener un hijo con necesidades especiales y a como ayudarlos a mejorar sus vidas

Presented By: Cecilia Mercado - Regional Coordinator, Fiesta Educativa Orange County

Esta presentacón aprenderá sobre la major manera de abogar y a encontrar los servicios mas apropiados. Se hablará de como navegar en el sistema estatal , procesos y evaluaciones dentro de la Ley de educación especial.

Presented By: Constance Rhodes—Founder and CEO, Finding Balance, Inc.

As a young girl Constance Rhodes watched her mother battle anorexia and bulimia—a struggle that led to her untimely death at the age of fifty. In college, Constance began her own battle with disordered eating, but today she walks in freedom, and has served over a million people through her innovative ministry in this field. Come learn the three “C’s” that made the healing difference, and how the same principles can change your story too.

Presented By: Paolo del Vecchio –Director, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Join the Director of the Federal Center for Mental Health Services for an enlightening discussion about mental illness and substance use. You will learn about treatment options and how to support your loved ones as they pursue a path of recovery and health.

Presented By: Dr. Louise Dunn—Director, New Hope Crisis Counseling Center

Do you ever feel like you don’t know what to say when someone is in a crisis? This workshop will equip participants with the skills needed to assist people (others) in crisis. The presenter will give an introduction to the power and use of active listening skills and attendees will learn to distinguish between helpful and unhelpful response to those experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, anger, grief, suicidal thinking or other overwhelming situations.

Presented By: Orange County Health Care Agency
Mary Hale—Behavioral Health Director
Jason Austin—Behavioral Health Services Program Manager

This workshop will provide an overview and roadmap to access the services available in Orange County through the Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Services. Learn about the inpatient, outpatient, prevention, and early intervention resources for children and adults living with mental illness and substance abuse disorder.

Presented By: Pastor Tommy Hilliker—Pastor of Ministry,
Saddleback Church Saddleback Church Ministry Team

This workshop will provide the tools you need to begin a mental health ministry in your church. Presenters will explain the Biblical foundation and guiding values behind the mental health ministry model at Saddleback Church. They will answer commonly asked questions and describe the step-by-step pathway to an effective and comprehensive mental health ministry that can be implemented by every church regardless of size.

Presented By: Dr. Aaron Kheriaty—Professor of Psychiatry, UC Irvine

This workshop will distinguish depression from spiritual problems like the “dark night of the soul,” and discuss the role of medications, psychotherapy, prayer, and other spiritual practices in helping individuals to recover from a depressive episode. In addition integration of insights from modern psychiatry and Christian tradition will be discussed.

Presented By: David Mandani—Founder and CEO, Saving Face Saving Grace

How do you best support people living with schizophrenia? This 101 workshop on schizophrenia will focus on five different aspects of recovery and wellness. In addition, learn how a first time responder can care well for people with schizophrenia and related diagnoses. Particular emphasis from the latest research and biblical truths will provide a framework for increasing resilience and wellness outcomes. Practical guidance will be shared from the perspectives of a mental health professional, a family member, and a person with lived experience

Presented By: Nelba Marquez-Greene—Executive Director, The Ana Grace Project

Mass shootings, street crime, loss, neglect, poverty, substance abuse, fractured families and failing schools are all part of the fabric woven into our children’s reality. And this reality often leads to generations of hopelessness and despair. This reality, when paired with proper supports- can be different! We do not have to be a hopeless generation! This presentation will focus on how communities can respond after tragedy (whether they be public tragedies like Sandy Hook or more private tragedies that happen every day). Learn how there is hope in the promotion of love, community and connection among us. Learn about the Ana Grace Project. We believe we can all be a part of the solution.

Presented By: Dr. David Miklowitz—Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute

Bipolar disorder affects all age groups and has particularly strong effects on adolescents and their family members. This workshop will summarize what we know about childhood-onset bipolar disorder, how it affects families and individuals, and what parents or other relatives can do to help their children become more resilient. The presenter will describe a novel treatment—family-focused therapy, that has been found to be effective in combination with medications for adults and adolescents with bipolar disorder.

Presented By: Jacqueline Rivera—Program Coordinator II, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

This presentation will provide an overview of youth suicide prevention. The presenter will discuss the nature of suicide, suicide related statistics, risk factors, myths, and warning signs focused on youth. The presenter will discuss how to asses for lethality, how to manage a young person who is suicidal, and will provide information on resource referrals.

Presented By: Elizabeth Styffe, RN, PHN, MN - Director of HIV&AIDS Initiative and Orphan Care Initiative, Saddleback Church

When a child is in crisis, what do you do? When a child seems dysregulated and unable to connect, what can you do? Are there tools to help families with children who are from hard places? Does the church have anything that is scientifically sound, based on the best research in brain development, trauma- informed care and attachment- and can it actually help? Are there ways that a child can be helped without heaping guilt on a parent’s head? Are there concrete ways to come alongside a hurting child or adolescent? The answer is yes! Parents, caregivers and church programs will benefit from this practical seminar designed to give insight, and practical tools for hope.

Presented By: Chief Yost Zakhary—Former President, International Association of Chief of Police

Together the church, community and the justice system can dissolve the stigmas of mental illness. Learn how to de-escalate tense situations and help build a safer future for people living with mental illness.