PORT ANGELES — Legal, medical and research professionals will get a chance to take a close look at mental health issues and programs during a weekend-long conference in Port Angeles at the end of the month.
It is the first time the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) statewide conference has been held in Port Angeles. It will be Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St.
“The conference is to create more collaboration within all the affiliated governmental, private and institutional organizations that deal with mental health,” said Cal Scott of Sequim, a NAMI of Clallam County board member.
“There’s an extensive lack of knowledge and awareness of what mental health issues are and how pervasive they are in our society today.
“When you read news about the homeless, to crimes, to any kind of trauma, there in those stories is some connection to mental health.”
There will be several sessions each day, with some focusing on programs in Clallam County.
“The conference has a multitude of separate sessions regarding many of the aspects of mental health from the standpoint of diagnosis, as well as how it affects our society, including treatment, assessment and continuum of care,” Scott said.
Among them is a session on the Police Assisted Addiction Recovery Initiative in Clallam County, which uses law enforcement, clinicians, government agencies and community volunteers to connect with addicts.
Another is a session on the Hearing Voices Movement in Port Angeles, a group that advocates genuine relationships, self-determination, personal strength and respect to help foster recovery for people who have had negative experiences with voices.
Late registration is still available for the conference for $325 at namiwa.org/index.php/programs/annual-state-conference. Registration for a single day isn’t available.
Only those who have registered will be able to attend workshops.
“I would suggest that people not able to attend the conference inquire into the NAMI organizations within their counties and communities,” Scott said. “Simply contact NAMI in their communities for further information.”
NAMI of Clallam County can be reached by calling 360-452-5244, while NAMI of Jefferson County can be reached by calling 360-385-1716.
________
Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
