Breaking the Stigma
Teen Mental Health Summit
STOMP the Stigma: A Cry for Help!
Saturday, May 6
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WMU College of Health and Human Services
Agenda
9-9:45 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast
9:45-10 a.m.
Welcome
ROOM: CHHS 1010
10-11:15 a.m.
Morning Keynote
Shots Fired: I’ve been Wounded
Room: CHHS 4010
Yafinceio “Big B” Harris Connections Coordinator - Urban Alliance
This session will discuss how gun violence and trauma disrupts lives at a young age, particularly in low poverty black communities. Examining this disparity, will help to identify and address how gun violence is a complex problem that must be met with a range of solutions for teens. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to gun violence, this session will explore the thrilling true story of how a former member of the Gangster Disciples Gang, got caught up in a life of crime… but is now making an impact on the world.
11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Self Thought, Self Talk:
Your Words, Build Your World
Breakout Session: 1A
Room: CHHS 1024
Antoinette M. James Published Author and Advocate
Moderator: Yvile Baptiste Kalamazoo Central High School - Grade 10
This session will allow teens to identify how they can build self-esteem and self-worth through what they say and think about themselves. Teens will understand how what they say and think affects every aspect of their life, their experiences, the actions and energy they emit to the things we attract. Thinking and speaking with intention can create a positive ripple effect that will manifest in their lives. Teens will be able to use this to create the reality they want and to manifest abundance in their lives.
He Said, She Said:
Spilling the Tea on Mental Health
Breakout Session: 1B
Room: CHHS 1035
Alexis Louis Accountant
This session will help teens understand the myths and misunderstandings of mental health among Black and Brown teens. Teens will hear and learn about real life struggles, identify personal examples of mental health dilemmas, so they can dispel mental health myths and overcome odds. This session will also discuss the advantage of coping with mental health through therapy, overcoming peer judgment, and limited family support.
12:15-2 p.m.
Lunch, Expo, and College Tour
2-3:15 p.m.
Afternoon Keynote
Breaking the Cycles of Pain - Your Story has Power
Room: CHHS 1010
Antoinette M. James Published Author and Advocate
This session will focus on the power that storytelling has to change your life and the lives of others. Because we all have stories of pain, hurt, and heartache, telling your story will bring hope, healing, and redemption. Teens will understand the power of how storytelling will change their world.
3:25-4:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Heavily Meditated & Mindful As Fire
Breakout Session: 2A
Room: CHHS 1024
Kimberly Lee-Tessmer Certified Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor
Moderator: Laura Boyd Kalamazoo Central High School - Grade 9
In this session the benefits of meditation & mindfulness will be discussed and how these proven practices can rewire the brain, settle the mind and allow teens to become calm and focused. Teaching the core principles of mindfulness, present moment awareness and guided meditation will give teens the needed tools to understand meditation and mindfulness.
Mindful Artistic Creations:
Expressions for Mental Healing
Breakout Session: 2B
Room: CHHS 1035
Amirah Goode Kalamazoo Christian High School - Grade 12
This session will introduce students to Art Therapy. They will take an online quiz and have hands-on materials to work with during the presentation. We will discuss racial trauma and racial PTSD. Students will learn how Art can help sort through complicated emotions and heal deeply rooted pain. Through their creativity, students will leave with the capability to express themselves through various artistic mediums.
4:15-5 p.m.
Conclusion, Recruiting, and RaffleRoom 1010 (or 4010)
Sponsors
Major sponsor, Stryker Johnston Foundation, and organizer Valarie Cunningham, the founder and CEO of The Synergy Health Center (SHC) and UrbanZone (UZ), a 501c3 non profit organization, has been passionately educating, empowering and equipping on black mental health for almost two decades. Facilitating community conversations, highlighting areas of stigma, and rebuilding courage, has been a worthy cause to champion. The UrbanZone is the youth and family arm of the SHC. UZ’s mission is to empower this generation to live life on purpose. As an African American woman, announcing the first Breaking the Stigma: Teen Mental Health Summit, in partnership with Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services, brings a new level of excitement and attention to black and brown teen mental health challenges.
