The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Los Angeles County Council and Urban Los Angeles Affiliate, are coordinating their second annual diversity conference on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Cultural anthropologist and sought after professor of African Studies and Human Development, Dr. Erylene Piper-Mandy will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Piper-Mandy will address the paradigm shifts necessary to move toward institutionalizing culturally‐relevant practice. Other presenters include renowned experts like internationally recognized psychologist Dr. Steven Lopez of USC, whose cultural competency model is currently being funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Dr. Cheryl Tawede Grills, clinical psychologist who has studied internationally to identify African‐centered models for treatment engagement for African Americans; Dr. Terry Gock, expert in Asian and Pacific Islander mental health, who has championed recognition of community defined practice as evidence based practice, nationally among organizations like SAMHSA and the American Psychological Association; and addiction psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Dickerson of UCLA, principal investigator of an NIH funded research grant for Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA).
The Community Health Advocate School at Augustus F. Hawkins High School in Los Angeles is hosting this year’s conference, entitled Bridging the Cultural Divide – Beyond Evidence-Based Practice in Diverse Communities. The 2016 NAMI Diversity Conference is made possible by contributions from transformative sponsors, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and LA Care Health Plan, and through the generous support of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Los Angeles County Council represents 12 local NAMI affiliates within Los Angeles County and functions as the central hub for collaborative efforts and policy development, including NAMI Walks LA County. The NAMI Urban Los Angeles (aka NULA) affiliate, taking the lead on this event, is the Community’s Voice on Mental Illness and offers a variety of free education, support, and advocacy programs to help families navigate service systems, advocate for effective treatment, and manage the inevitable crises and daily stresses resulting from their loved one’s illness. NAMI is excited to provide a platform for these ethnocentric models of care as it continues its advocacy efforts as a voice for all impacted by serious mental illness.
To register for the conference or to host an exhibitor booth, connect tohttps://namidiversityconference.eventbrite.com. To learn more about the work of NAMI Urban LA, visit www.namiurbanla.org.