OVOF to host mental health literacy symposium at WVC on Dec. 11

WENATCHEE — A regional symposium focused on community collaboration around mental health will take place December 11 at Wenatchee Valley College’s Maguire Center, according to Our Valley Our Future (OVOF). The event, presented by Thriving Together NCW, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

The symposium will explore how local partners are addressing mental health challenges in North Central Washington, highlighting prevention strategies, emerging data, capacity building, youth and family supports, and how a sense of belonging plays a role in improving outcomes.

“The symposium will highlight the issues at play behind mental health, including preventative resources and building capacity while providing participants with an opportunity to suggest creative ways to support belonging,” said Rubén Betancourt, OVOF community engagement specialist. “Our partners are the boots on the ground tackling mental health every day in our communities.”

Presentations to cover youth prevention, crisis response, bilingual care

Sessions will be led by local specialists in youth behavioral health, crisis intervention, therapy, community care, veterans’ services and data analysis. Scheduled presenters include:

• Ric Escobedo, MSW, LICSW — Community resilience practices
  
  
• Teresa Posakony — Mind-body strategies and belonging
  
  
• Pete Teigen, Together for Youth — Youth mental health and suicide prevention
  
  
• Christina Guerrero and Marlene Aguilera, Columbia Valley Community Health — Bilingual therapy and integrated youth behavioral health services
  
  
• Kim Ferguson Hatfield, Catholic Charities — Innovative co-response for high-acuity mental health needs
  
  
• Garth Donald, Chelan-Douglas Health District — Family well-being in a tech-driven world
  
  
• Anthony Sandoval, WA Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans mental health
  
  
• Dr. Jorge Chacón, Northwest Family Services Institute
  
  
• Wendy Brzezny, Thriving Together NCW — IP3 (Institute for People, Place & Possibility) community data resource

How to participate

Registration is $10 and includes a locally sourced lunch prepared by Szmania’s Catering. Spanish interpretation will be available for attendees who request it during registration.

Partnering organizations for the event include Wenatchee Valley College, Central Washington Area Health Education Center, Catholic Charities, CAFÉ (Community for the Advancement of Family Education), Together for Youth, Chelan-Douglas Health District and Columbia Valley Community Health.

Our Valley Our Future is a nonpartisan nonprofit that develops community-driven action plans and hosts four symposiums annually to advance strategies addressing regional needs.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media