NAMI State Conference - Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives
November 5, 2011
Minneapolis Convention Center
From: 9:00-5:00
Cost: $75 members, $100 non-members
Area parking lots are $9-$16 per day, also on busline
Limited partial scholarships (call to apply)
For information call 651-645-2948

NAMI Minnesota's State Conference will feature 15 workshops on a wide range of mental health topics including: complementary therapies, children’s mental health, parents living with mental illnesses, anxiety disorders, Medicare, legislative issues, veterans, criminal justice, dual diagnosis, and borderline personality disorders. Plus the annual awards luncheon. See conference program.

The keynote speakers will be Steven Simring and Bravada Garret-Akinsanya.

Due to recent delays in his adoption of three children from South America, Dr. Xavier Amador will be out of the country and unable to deliver our keynote address. We are fortunate and pleased, however, to have Dr. Amador's colleague from the LEAP Institute, Dr. Steven Simring, to deliver this year's keynote address. Dr. Simring, MD, MPH, is associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and an attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He is a consultant for NBC and MTV networks and has been a frequent guest on Oprah, Montel Williams, Regis and Kelly Live, Court TV and CNBC.

Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years experience. She is the Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute, and President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, which offers culturally competent mental health consultation services that meet the needs of children, adults, families and organizations. Her topic will be “Creating Change Through Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Finding the We in Power.”

NAMI Minnesota's annual meeting will be held immediately following the conference. It will include the election of new board members.