Syracuse University’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy co-hosts April 24 conference on mental health needs of veterans, families

Syracuse University’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy co-hosts April 24 conference on mental health needs of veterans, families April 07, 2009Michele Barrettmibarret@syr.edu

To help educate mental health professionals on the unique and urgent needs of military personnel and their families-and to help veterans and family members learn about resources available to them to address the demands of military life-a one-day conference titled “Veterans Services…Mental Health Matters” will take place on Friday, April 24, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Drumlins, 800 Nottingham Road, DeWitt.

The event, hosted by the Mental Health Association of Onondaga County, is made possible through funding provided by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and state Sen. John A. DeFrancisco. Syracuse University’s College of Human Ecology, the Hancock Field Family Program and the National Association of Social Workers are conference co-hosts.

Keynote speaker is Helena Davis, M.A., L.M.H.C., director of training and special projects for the Mental Health Association of New York State. A panel discussion will address such topics as the challenges facing families, the reintegration process for families and children, and mediation and well-being for trauma survivors and veterans.

The conference will also include concurrent breakout sessions on a variety of related topics, including communication and reuniting and mindfulness-based skills for reducing stress. Military service members and their families may attend the conference at no cost. Registration fee for professionals is $25. Advance registration is required for all attendees. For more information, contact the Mental Health Association of Onondaga County at (315) 445-5606.

The one-day conference complements the College of Human Ecology’s recent announcement that its School of Social Work has expanded its master of social work (M.S.W.) program in Watertown to increase the number of trained mental health professionals available to support returning veterans and their families predominantly in the Fort Drum and northern New York area. The Watertown program begins this fall.

About the College of Human Ecology at Syracuse University

The College of Human Ecology is dedicated to excellence in professional academic education and integrates publicly engaged scholarship as a philosophy and method in all of its degree programs. The college brings together a rich history of academic programs whose signatures of social responsibility and justice join new and evolving majors reflective of educating global citizens whose leadership can-and does-change the places and people where they live and work.

Previously known as the College of Human Services and Health Professions until it was renamed in 2007, the College of Human Ecology hosts seven departments with strong roots in SU history: Child and Family Studies; Health and Wellness; Hospitality Management; Marriage and Family Therapy; Nutrition Science and Dietetics; Sport Management; and the School of Social Work.