The Jackson County Health Department is hosting a Wellness Symposium Oct. 26 & 27 for those concerned with the Mental Health and Substance Abuse of Oklahomans.
The Symposium will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 8 PM at the Altus Community Center, 401 Falcon Road in Altus. On Thursday, Oct. 27 the Symposium will be held at Western Oklahoma State College, 2801 N. Main in Altus from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Several keynote speakers will explore the science and implementation of mental health wellness; identify gaps that impact our mental health in built environments health literacy,and substance abuse for our aging population; promote promising best-practices interventions for significant impact on population health and reduce stigma tied to mental health & substance abuse; and support and develop sustainable partnerships across government and private sectors.
Keynote speakers for the event are Tom Farley, Lt Col Teddy Boyd, Steven Buck, and Gail Box.
In 2008 Tom Farley wrote “The Chris Farley Show,” a New York Times bestselling biography of his late brother, the actor and comedian Chris Farley. Tom also has a gift of humor, and uses it to travel around speaking to groups about Addiction and other topics. In Altus he will be talking about Mental Health and Overcoming Adversity.
Lt Col Teddy Boyd is the Commander of the 56th Air Refueling Squadron at Altus, Air Force Base. He will give a presentation exploring the mental health aspects of being a leader.
Steven Buck serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Care Providers Oklahoma. Buck also served as Gov. Mary Fallin’s health and human services secretary from November 2017 through the end of her second term.
Gail Box shares the story of her son Austin Box who died from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Through his story she promotes the understanding of addiction and outlines the dangers of opioid abuse. The presentation is meant to be informative as well as motivational.
Breakout sessions will include: Mental Health view from Bureau of Narcotics, Emotional Poverty, Diabetes – your Mental Health related to food, Mental Health in the Workforce, 1st Responders & Caregivers working with Alzheimer’s or Dementia patients, Online Predators, Partnerships with Government and Non-Profits – Cross Sector Innovation, ACE’s with CLEET hours, Music Therapy, 988 – What is it, and How it works, Toxic Grit OSU, Expanded Medicaid, OKARR, Solving Transportation Issues, Vaping and Mental Health – Teen Line Quit the Hit, Children and Mental Health, and Opioids & You: Effects on the Body.
Breakout session speakers include Ed Long, Debra Johnson, Jeremy Eldridge, Jeff Dismukes, Ethan Crisp, Elizabeth Chery-Mullen, Jessica McGuire, Sommer Robbins, Leticia Castro, Jordan Shuler, M.S., Julie Sanders, Sarah Yount.
Joining the Jackson County Health Department in presenting this program to shape a healthier future and thriving society in SW Oklahoma is OFMQ, Western Oklahoma State College, the Shortgrass Community Health Center, Southern Prairie Library System, Great Plains Literacy Council, Altus Parks and Recreation, Jackson County Memorial Hospital.