The Real Voices Real Choices Conference, held in August at Tan-Tar-A Resort and Conference Center, and will inform, educate and empower individuals and youth who receive services through the vast array of providers supported by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.  The conference is planned by a committee of volunteers who receive treatment services for substance abuse and addiction, developmental disabilities and mental illness.

Objectives of the conference include:

• Providing a broad range of mental health related topics
• Promoting individuals’ choices when it comes to services and opportunities
• Training in self-advocacy and personal recovery skills
• Increasing awareness of mental health services, developmental disability and addiction support services
• Connecting individuals and youth and families to tools and supports in the community

Intended audience are Individuals or youth living with or in recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder and individuals with developmental disabilities. We also encourage family members and professionals to attend the Real Voices Real Choices Conference.

For more information, please visit: http://dmh.mo.gov/constituentservices/consumerconference.html

For any questions email: consumerconference@dmh.mo.gov

Two Rivers Behavioral Health System is a 105-bed, acute psychiatric hospital located in South Kansas City, Missouri and is easily accessed from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).  In addition, the hospital is close to most metro Kansas and Missouri suburbs. Our mental health facility offers comprehensive behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents and adults. We treat a broad range of psychiatric illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders. Our facility also offers treatment for addiction issues for alcohol and other substances. At Two Rivers Behavioral Health System, focus is on our patients and their success.
website: http://www.tworivershospital.com/

The Office of Disaster Services (ODS) coordinates behavioral health response for Missourians in disaster situations. To strengthen the Department’s capacity to respond, the Office of Disaster Services coordinates efforts with numerous state agencies including, Homeland Security, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), numerous non-governmental and faith-based organizations active in disaster response. When a federal disaster is declared in Missouri, the Office of Disaster Services applies for and administers the FEMA Crisis Counseling Program grant award.

ODS offers disaster preparedness training, Psychological First Aid and Mental Health First Aid training to health care providers, school personnel, community-based volunteer organizations, emergency responders, law enforcement personnel, mental health consumers, and the faith-based community. The ODS also provides informational fact sheets about common reactions to disaster, coping strategies and the emotional impact of disasters for various demographic groups and populations. The Office of Disaster Services is involved in ongoing statewide planning initiatives such as mental health emergency planning, planning for the needs of children, and continuity of operations planning for state agencies, businesses and faith-based organizations.

website: http://www.dmh.mo.gov/disaster

For 150 years, Epworth Children and Family Services has provided the St. Louis community with essential youth development services that have helped thousands of children overcome severe emotional and behavioral challenges caused by abuse or neglect.

Epworth’s innovative, holistic and comprehensive treatment approach helps youth focus on solutions, build on inherent strengths and communicate more effectively. More than 7,500 youth and families turn to Epworth each year for emergency shelter, residential and intensive treatment, family reunification therapy, transitional and independent living programs, special education, foster family care, prevention services and a 24-hour help line. Epworth’s strength-based therapeutic philosophy builds on the individual strengths of youth and families, thus increasing the capacity of each to thrive in society.

Epworth was founded as a mission agency of the United Methodist Church to care for Civil War orphans, and it continues to work in partnership with both the community at large and the church to meet the needs of contemporary youth. Today, Epworth is an independent agency serving all children and families, regardless of religious affiliation.

website: http://epworth.org

Qualifacts is the largest provider of Software-as-a-Service and web-based Electronic Health Records for the behavioral health and human services market. Our team helps over 50,000 behavioral healthcare providers and staff realize improved billing and clinical operations, increased agency revenue, faster payment and better client and staff satisfaction. Our cloud-based solution, CareLogic Enterprise, is an integrated suite of electronic health records (EHR), billing, and scheduling applications designed specifically for behavioral healthcare organizations with 20 or more users.

website:http://www.Qualifacts.com

SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across the Midwest through one of the largest integrated delivery systems in the nation.

website:http://www.ssmhealth.com

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies: Funding scientific research Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide

website: https://afsp.org/missouri