Flint, MI – The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), in collaboration with Genesee Health System and local area school districts, is hosting a Mental Health Symposium on March 14, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Genesee Career Institute Conference Center, G-5081 Torrey Road, Flint, MI. Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m. with the Keynote Speaker at 9:30 a.m.
The symposium is an opportunity for school staff to acquire valuable knowledge that focuses on mental health support systems for students and families in Genesee County. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from Keynote Speaker Angela Pharris, Ph.D., MSW on the Science and Power of Hope. Dr. Pharris is an assistant professor in the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Pharris is also the Director of the Center for Child Welfare Training and Senior Research Fellow at the Hope Research Center.
“We are delighted to once again partner with GHS and local school districts within Genesee County as it relates to building mental health support systems for students and families across the county,” stated Dr. Steven Tunnicliff, Superintendent for GISD.
Tunniclif added: “This symposium is yet another opportunity to collaborate with educational partners with respect to student mental health being at the forefront of our work.”
In addition to Pharris’ keynote address, the symposium will also feature breakout sessions presented by Genesee Health System (GHS) and local school districts focusing on topics such as Partnerships to Support Student Well-being – Linden Community Schools, Best Practices in Using iWellness Data – Swartz Creek Community Schools and Montrose Community Schools, and Mental Health First Aid & Hope Squad – GHS.
“We are looking forward to helping educators identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use,” stated Carrie Chanter, Director of Prevention, Health & Wellness at GHS.
Chanter added: “This symposium is the next step in working with local school districts to identify students in distress.”
Each school district in Genesee County will have the opportunity to send a team of five educators to take part in this Mental Health Symposium.
