Interfaith Behavioral & Mental Health Conference

Leaders as Healers: The Role of Faith & Community Leaders in Mental Wellness

8:30 am

Registrations, Breakfast & Networking

9:30 am

Interfaith Harmony: United Prayers for Peace and Hope

Rev. Will StarkweatherFatih BayarNanette Tashnek;  Kunal VyasRev. Seido Francavilla

Veterans' Honor Guard, Houston Police Department

Welcome Remarks, Nasruddin Rupani, Chair - Ibn Sina Foundation

10:00 am

Keynote, Leaders as Healers: The Role of Faith & Community Leaders in Mental Wellness

Esmaeil Porsa, MD, MBA, MPH, CCHP-A, President & CEO, Harris Health System

10:25 am

Mind Matters: A Deep Dive into Mental Health Disorders

Ketam Hamdan, PhD, Founder & Managing Director AnNisa Brain Health

11:00 am

The Mental Health Ecosystem: Roles and Relationships

Mahtab Moradi, LMFT, Counselor, Ibn Sina Foundation

11:20 am

Panel Discussion - Faith, Support, and Recovery: Congregation Success Narratives

Dr. Connie Almeida (Moderator), Angelina Hudson, NAMI Houston & Kim Williams, HCA Health (Panelists)

11:45 am

Transcendence Break: Yoga, Music, and Spiritual Refresh

Geetha Ravula, Coach, Founder, Ashirwad A Blessing Temple

12:00 pm

Lunch, Networking, Exhibits of Resources, Short Videos

01:00 pm

Where Hope Takes Root: Spirituality & Mental Health -Working Together to Address Mental Health & Suicide

Robin E. Gearing, PhD, Prof. & Director, Center for Mental Health Research & Innovation in Treatment Engagement and Service (MH-RITES), University of Houston

1:30 pm

How Can You Intervene: Recognize, Refer, Relate and Restore

Mariana Barahona, Hope and Healing Center & Institute, Houston

2:10 pm

Panel Discussion - Hope & Healing: Building Mental Health Programming into Your Place of Worship

Dr. Connie Almeida (Moderator); Pastor David Sincere Lee;  Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss;  Anum Ali (Panelists)

2:45 pm

Recognitions & Closing Remarks

Introduction

A unique conference to host and bring together faith leaders and professionals from diverse faiths and traditions to engage, discuss, share, and develop an understanding of the challenges of mental health prevalent in the communities.  

For too long, mental health has not been given the attention it deserves in many communities. People suffer needlessly from otherwise treatable conditions, often hiding within the shadows, or living with the stigma that so often accompanies mental illness.

Interfaith Behavioral and Mental Health Conference is a distinctive forum to bring together various faith leaders, community leaders and professionals in person to manage these mental health challenges in diverse communities. 

Ibn Sina Foundation (ISF), in collaboration with National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Houston (NAMI-GH), Mental Health America (MHA)Fort Bend County Behavioral Health Services, Interfaith Ministries, and other partner organizations, organizing this conference.

The aim of the conference is for faith leaders and their institutions to Recognize, Relate and then Refer mentally challenged individuals to a professional in the mental health field. 

Goals of the Conference:

 

Partnerships and Networking

To help in partnering and networking within mental health and affiliated organizations.


Engage Faith and Community Leaders

To engage faith and community leaders to promote mental health awareness and facilitate networking and collaboration among various stakeholders.

Understanding Various Mental Health Approaches

To enhance understanding of the various approaches to improve mental health in the context of faith and culture.

Community Resilience

To highlight the notion of community resilience through initiating discussions and forming partnerships.


Strengthening the Realization among Faith Leaders

To strengthen the realization among faith leaders and other stakeholders and assist to play a positive role in improving mental wellness in communities.

Enhance Community Access to Resources

To help and educate to enhance community access to the available resources and services on mental health.


Breaking Mental Health Stigma

To provide a platform to share various success stories and models to address the mental health stigma prevalent in the communities.


meetup-image

meetup-image

meetup-image

meetup-image

Who should Attend?

Leaders from various faith traditions, communities, institutions, and mental health professionals who frequently encounter individuals and families with undiagnosed or struggling with mental health conditions would benefit from attending this conference.

If you are a member of the above groups or institutions, click the Registration box below. 

Please note this conference is NOT open to the general public.

Directions

Houston Community College (HCC) West Loop Campus Conference Hall Center
5601 West Loop South, 
Houston, Texas 77081
United States

Program Details:
Irfan A. Amin, PhD
Conference Coordinator,
Ibn Sina Foundation 
irfan@ibnsinafoundation.org

About the Organizers

 

The Ibn Sina Foundation (ISF) is a non-profit and non-denominational community-based healthcare organization since 2001. The core purpose of this organization is to bridge the growing gap between the health care needs of a rapidly expanding population and the ability of already existing public health institutions to meet their needs. Its mission is to ensure the community’s health by providing integrated preventive and primary care in a clinical setting. Through high-quality care and education, it will enhance the quality of life for future generations.