Mental health conference planned Aug. 21-23 in Richland

Aug. 18--A state conference on mental health is being held in the Tri-Cities this weekend.

The NAMI Washington conference is Aug. 21-23 at Shilo Inn in Richland. The theme is "Mental Health in Sync: Working Together to Improve Lives."

Washington is poised to soon see some significant changes in mental health care delivery, and the conference will focus on interconnectedness as the process moves forward, according to information from organizers.

"This word interconnectedness was new to me. It seems to be the new buzzword people are utilizing to try to articulate how we, whether we like it or not, are all interconnected. And that the more we see that, the more -- through either organizational expertise, programs, budgets, volunteers -- we can start working together like a couple of gears and we can optimize this area," said Fred Yapuncich, president of the NAMI Washington chapter in the Tri-Cities.

NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. It's a grassroots organization that works to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness and to fight stigma.

The conference is aimed at providers, consumers, families and others touched by mental illness.

Kevin Quigley, state Department of Social and Health Services secretary, and Jürgen Unützer, chairman of the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department at the University of Washington, are among those scheduled to present.

Session topics range from changes in mental health services and programs in the state to housing and employment, animals in mental health recovery and options for funding local mental health programs.

A session also is planned on mental health court, featuring some of the local officials working on a Benton County court.

And a gathering of remembrance for attendees who've lost loved ones with mental illness is planned.

The conference costs $225 for two days or $250 for three days for NAMI members, including meals. Cost for nonmembers is $300.

Some pre-conference workshops are planned on the morning of Aug. 21. They're free and open to the public.

They include a session on mental health and the justice system that's aimed at prosecutors, investigators and others who are part of the criminal justice system; a hands-on advocacy training program for people living with mental illness, friends and family; and a mental health education in-service for school professionals.

Lourdes Health Network in Pasco is the conference's premier sponsor.

Yapuncich said he hopes people understand there is help and hope when it comes to mental illness -- "whether you're suffering or a friend or family members is suffering from it."

"And," he said, "this will be exemplified by all the people and the stakeholders showing up."

To sign up, go to www.namiwa2015conf.brownpapertickets.com.

Sara Schilling: 509-582-1529; sschilling@tricityherald.com; Twitter: @SaraTCHerald

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