Stephen F. Austin State University

The 12th annual Mission Possible Conference, "Good Mental Health is Everybody's Business," is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches.

With an anticipated attendance of 200, this mental health conference will provide an overview of the importance of mental health as a public health issue, according to event organizers. Topics to be covered include techniques for developing treatment goals and recovery strategies, treatment methods for special populations, family and patient roles in recovery success, criminal justice topics, consumer breakout sessions and an ethics workshop.

Mission Possible will provide nurses, social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed chemical dependency counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists with continuing education credit approved by the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
Peace officers and the criminal justice community may participate in breakout sessions that can be used for continuing education credit.

Mental health consumers, family members and students are able to attend the conference at a reduced fee.

Conference sponsors include the Burke Center, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, Brentwood Hospital, Lufkin and Nacogdoches chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Nacogdoches Medical Center, Piney Woods Area Health Education Center, Rusk State Hospital and Stephen F. Austin State University's School of Social Work and University Police Department.

The keynote speaker is Robin Peyson, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Texas. Peyson will review relevant mental health data and discuss the importance of defining mental health as a critical public health issue. Speakers will include representatives from Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University, Rusk State Hospital, the Burke Center and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council.

Conference attendees will be offered a special showing of the movie, "Within Us" at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19. The film features SFA faculty member and former "General Hospital" star Brad Maule and portrays a young man's battle with schizophrenia.

For information about the film or to register for the conference, contact Piney Woods AHEC at (936) 468-6941. Register by Friday, April 6 to avoid a late fee.