The second day of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference kicked off with a mesmerizing performance by the Me2/ Orchestra, a unique classical music organization dedicated to individuals with mental illnesses. Sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., the event set the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and inspiring presentations.
The morning panel, featuring Mental Health America’s young leaders Makaila Davis, Anastasia Erley, Jonathan Jean Charles, and Kaisar Perry, along with Vice President Kelly Davis, highlighted the need for intergenerational collaboration in the mental health space. The panelists emphasized the importance of combining the wisdom of older generations with the fresh ideas of younger ones to create sustainable solutions.
During the panel, the prestigious mPower Award was presented to Ernesto Isaac Lara, a young advocate who has been vocal about mental health issues. In his acceptance speech, Lara underscored the significance of representation and shared how his personal journey has shaped his expertise.
The conference featured a range of breakout sessions, including a remarkable presentation by 12-year-old Anisha Marrapu, Founder of BhavnaFoundation, who showcased her work using machine learning to detect and treat psychiatric disorders early. Dr. America Paredes commended Marrapu for her efforts in developing innovative diagnostic tools for mental health.
Actor Teddy Sears presented the MHA Media Awards, recognizing outstanding media initiatives that promote mental health awareness. The afternoon breakout sessions delved into diverse topics such as cannabis and psychosis, peer respite care, and supporting marginalized LGBTQ+ youth.
Attendees gathered in the evening for a keynote address by Dr. Brian Anderson, CEO of Coalition for Health AI, who discussed the role of AI in mental health care. Anderson highlighted the potential benefits of AI in providing non-judgmental support and enhancing patient advocacy.
The conference also saw the presentation of three prestigious awards. The Betty Humphrey Equity Champion Award was given to the Montgomery County Public Schools International Admissions & Enrollment Office’s EML Therapeutic Counseling Team for their exceptional services to emergent multilingual learners. The Joseph de Raismes III Policy Award honored Barbara Johnston for her impactful advocacy work in mental health policy. The George Goodman Brudney and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award recognized Dr. Joey Pagano for his profound empathy and commitment to harm reduction.
The 2024 Mental Health America Conference is set to continue through Saturday, Sept. 21, offering attendees a platform to engage with cutting-edge developments in mental health care and advocacy.
