SESSIONS
KEYNOTE
When Crisis Strikes: Protecting Mental Health and Building Community Strength
Matt Stewart - Newton County Sheriff
Drawing on experiences from the 2011 Joplin Tornado, one of the deadliest tornadoes in recent U.S. history, the speaker shares firsthand insights from the event. The session explores the immediate and long-term impacts on the mental health of individuals and the broader community. Participants will gain practical takeaways for preparing themselves and their communities to respond effectively during crises, while building resilience and support systems that last well beyond the emergency.
When Crisis Strikes: Protecting Mental Health and Building Community Strength
Matt Stewart - Newton County Sheriff
Drawing on experiences from the 2011 Joplin Tornado, one of the deadliest tornadoes in recent U.S. history, the speaker shares firsthand insights from the event. The session explores the immediate and long-term impacts on the mental health of individuals and the broader community. Participants will gain practical takeaways for preparing themselves and their communities to respond effectively during crises, while building resilience and support systems that last well beyond the emergency.
PLENARY
Through the Inferno: Turning Lived Experience into Leadership
Doug Smith - Author, Speaker
This session explores how lived experiences such as mental illness, addiction, incarceration, and recovery can become powerful leadership assets. Ideal for justice, mental health, and community professionals, it offers insights on reframing adversity, building trust across systems, and leading with empathy, purpose, and resilience.
Through the Inferno: Turning Lived Experience into Leadership
Doug Smith - Author, Speaker
This session explores how lived experiences such as mental illness, addiction, incarceration, and recovery can become powerful leadership assets. Ideal for justice, mental health, and community professionals, it offers insights on reframing adversity, building trust across systems, and leading with empathy, purpose, and resilience.
A Functional Model for Treating Chronic Mental Health
Melissa Engle, LPC - Healing Springs Ranch
This workshop will compare and contrast the standard “Behavioral health” model to a New “Functional Health” model. This Functional health model does not focus on the behavior(s) themselves, but rather the REASONS for the behaviors. This revolutionary approach offers a paradigm shift in our industry for better understanding and treatment of mental health disorders.
Melissa Engle, LPC - Healing Springs Ranch
This workshop will compare and contrast the standard “Behavioral health” model to a New “Functional Health” model. This Functional health model does not focus on the behavior(s) themselves, but rather the REASONS for the behaviors. This revolutionary approach offers a paradigm shift in our industry for better understanding and treatment of mental health disorders.
Breaking the Silence: Men, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention
Leslie Silva Castillo - Grant Halliburton Foundation
Despite increasing awareness around mental health, suicide continues to disproportionately impact men—often in silence. This presentation will explore the unique risk factors and warning signs of suicide among men, considering variations across age, race, culture, and socioeconomic background. Participants will examine how stigma, traditional gender norms, and cultural expectations contribute to men’s reluctance to seek help, creating barriers to early intervention. Finally, the session will highlight practical, evidence-based strategies to engage men in suicide prevention through community outreach, peer support, and culturally sensitive education. Attendees will leave equipped with tools to foster open dialogue, reduce stigma, and support men at risk.
Leslie Silva Castillo - Grant Halliburton Foundation
Despite increasing awareness around mental health, suicide continues to disproportionately impact men—often in silence. This presentation will explore the unique risk factors and warning signs of suicide among men, considering variations across age, race, culture, and socioeconomic background. Participants will examine how stigma, traditional gender norms, and cultural expectations contribute to men’s reluctance to seek help, creating barriers to early intervention. Finally, the session will highlight practical, evidence-based strategies to engage men in suicide prevention through community outreach, peer support, and culturally sensitive education. Attendees will leave equipped with tools to foster open dialogue, reduce stigma, and support men at risk.
Building Collaborative Law Enforcement-Mental Health Partnerships
Det. Brandon Quimbey - Princeton Police Department
Ponmalar "Robin" Wesley Samuel, M.S., LPC, MBA - Lifepath Systems
Developing strong partnerships and mutual understanding between law enforcement agencies and mental health or state service organizations can greatly enhance your ability to serve the community. By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and coordinating resources, agencies can respond more effectively to crises, improve outcomes for individuals in need, and build trust within the communities they serve.
Det. Brandon Quimbey - Princeton Police Department
Ponmalar "Robin" Wesley Samuel, M.S., LPC, MBA - Lifepath Systems
Developing strong partnerships and mutual understanding between law enforcement agencies and mental health or state service organizations can greatly enhance your ability to serve the community. By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and coordinating resources, agencies can respond more effectively to crises, improve outcomes for individuals in need, and build trust within the communities they serve.
Childhood Robbed: The Impact of Mass Gun Violence on Youth
JoAnn "Jodi" Davis, MS, LPC, NCC
This workshop aims to educate on the mental health impact of school shootings and provide youth and community professionals with resources for coping after mass violence. This training addresses the multicultural implications of accessing services while presenting attendees with opportunities to begin challenging misconceptions surrounding mass gun violence.
JoAnn "Jodi" Davis, MS, LPC, NCC
This workshop aims to educate on the mental health impact of school shootings and provide youth and community professionals with resources for coping after mass violence. This training addresses the multicultural implications of accessing services while presenting attendees with opportunities to begin challenging misconceptions surrounding mass gun violence.
Critical Decision Making
Sergeant Billy McIntosh - Wylie Police Department
This is a time in law enforcement where decisions will be scrutinized long after any call for service. Being better prepared before, during, and after the decision has to be made is more important than ever. The Critical Decision Making Model is designed to prepare officers to make better decisions by preparing themselves for "that" call that could go in a bad direction.
Sergeant Billy McIntosh - Wylie Police Department
This is a time in law enforcement where decisions will be scrutinized long after any call for service. Being better prepared before, during, and after the decision has to be made is more important than ever. The Critical Decision Making Model is designed to prepare officers to make better decisions by preparing themselves for "that" call that could go in a bad direction.
Emergency Detentions and Deterioration
Alyse Ferguson, JD - Rosenthal, Kalabus, & Therrian Law Firm
Officer Carlos Henderson - The Colony Police Department
This session will explore recent updates to the emergency detention processes, APOWW form, and its impact on the treatment process. Participants will review the required components of an EDO, its purpose and proper application, and the critical connection between deterioration and risk of harm. The discussion will also highlight changes to the form and process to support more effective and timely interventions.
Alyse Ferguson, JD - Rosenthal, Kalabus, & Therrian Law Firm
Officer Carlos Henderson - The Colony Police Department
This session will explore recent updates to the emergency detention processes, APOWW form, and its impact on the treatment process. Participants will review the required components of an EDO, its purpose and proper application, and the critical connection between deterioration and risk of harm. The discussion will also highlight changes to the form and process to support more effective and timely interventions.
First Responder Wellness
Christopher Hoyer- Retired LEO, Author, Speaker
Based on a 20-year law enforcement career, Training for the Fight prepares first responders for critical incidents mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The session covers resiliency, recognizing triggers, navigating agency policies, and managing the aftermath of trauma. Participants will hear a real-life account of an officer-involved ambush, including tactical decisions and on-scene challenges, and learn strategies for maintaining a healthy work and home life. Resources and support options for first responders are also provided.
Christopher Hoyer- Retired LEO, Author, Speaker
Based on a 20-year law enforcement career, Training for the Fight prepares first responders for critical incidents mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The session covers resiliency, recognizing triggers, navigating agency policies, and managing the aftermath of trauma. Participants will hear a real-life account of an officer-involved ambush, including tactical decisions and on-scene challenges, and learn strategies for maintaining a healthy work and home life. Resources and support options for first responders are also provided.
Food, Mood, and Mental Health: Nutrition's Role in Functional Psychiatry
Everest Goldstein, M. Ed., MSN, PMHNP-BC, IFMCP - Everest Functional Psychiatry & Wellness; Evergreen Functional Collective
Mental health is deeply influenced by what we eat. Emerging research in functional and nutritional psychiatry reveals that diet plays a critical role in brain function, mood regulation, and overall mental well-being. This session will explore the profound connection between nutrition and mental health, offering a root-cause approach to conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, cognitive decline, and more. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how food can be used as medicine to enhance mental health and learn actionable steps to integrate nutritional psychiatry into their personal and professional practice.
Everest Goldstein, M. Ed., MSN, PMHNP-BC, IFMCP - Everest Functional Psychiatry & Wellness; Evergreen Functional Collective
Mental health is deeply influenced by what we eat. Emerging research in functional and nutritional psychiatry reveals that diet plays a critical role in brain function, mood regulation, and overall mental well-being. This session will explore the profound connection between nutrition and mental health, offering a root-cause approach to conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, cognitive decline, and more. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how food can be used as medicine to enhance mental health and learn actionable steps to integrate nutritional psychiatry into their personal and professional practice.
How Does Trauma Show Up at School?
Kelly Ihejiawu - Children's Health
Claire Mcloughlin - Children's Health
This session is designed to provide effective strategies for supporting students who have experienced trauma. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between a child's environment and the role that the community plays in either supporting or exacerbating trauma. Additionally, the session will address the prevalence of trauma within the school setting. To conclude, participants will utilize the knowledge gained to thoughtfully analyze and navigate various scenarios that may arise during the school day.
Kelly Ihejiawu - Children's Health
Claire Mcloughlin - Children's Health
This session is designed to provide effective strategies for supporting students who have experienced trauma. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between a child's environment and the role that the community plays in either supporting or exacerbating trauma. Additionally, the session will address the prevalence of trauma within the school setting. To conclude, participants will utilize the knowledge gained to thoughtfully analyze and navigate various scenarios that may arise during the school day.
It’s Not Just a Phase: Understanding Child and Teen Grief
Bryna Talamantez, LMFT - Talamantez Therapy
Grief is not something with an end date. It isn’t a group of feelings we can check off a list and move on from once we experience them. For children and teens who experience the death of a loved one, grief becomes a part of their lives forever. While kids are resilient, they need supportive people around them who offer love and understanding for the complex emotions and responses that arise as they grieve and move forward. In this presentation, we will explore how grief manifests in children and teens, the impact it has on all areas of their lives, and effective ways to provide support.
Bryna Talamantez, LMFT - Talamantez Therapy
Grief is not something with an end date. It isn’t a group of feelings we can check off a list and move on from once we experience them. For children and teens who experience the death of a loved one, grief becomes a part of their lives forever. While kids are resilient, they need supportive people around them who offer love and understanding for the complex emotions and responses that arise as they grieve and move forward. In this presentation, we will explore how grief manifests in children and teens, the impact it has on all areas of their lives, and effective ways to provide support.
Parenting a Special Needs Child
Officer Terry Qualls - McKinney Police Department
This presentation tells the story of raising Alex, who has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay (PDD) and ADHD, and explores the journey from her diagnosis to where she is today. It highlights the challenges and milestones along the way, while also providing insight into the special needs community and the resources available to support families.
Officer Terry Qualls - McKinney Police Department
This presentation tells the story of raising Alex, who has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Delay (PDD) and ADHD, and explores the journey from her diagnosis to where she is today. It highlights the challenges and milestones along the way, while also providing insight into the special needs community and the resources available to support families.
Psychiatric Care in the Emergency Room
Sydney Cousins, LCSW - Methodist Richardson Medical Center
This session covers what to expect when presenting to the emergency room during a psychiatric crisis. Participants will learn about the mental health evaluation process, what to expect if inpatient hospitalization is needed, and how crisis intervention is handled.
Sydney Cousins, LCSW - Methodist Richardson Medical Center
This session covers what to expect when presenting to the emergency room during a psychiatric crisis. Participants will learn about the mental health evaluation process, what to expect if inpatient hospitalization is needed, and how crisis intervention is handled.
Resetting the Default Mode Through Data Driven Justice
District Attorney John Creuzot - Dallas County
Using assessments, data, and proven diversion methods allows us to reset our default approach to handling criminal cases involving mentally ill defendants. Many of these cases could be more appropriately addressed within the health and human services system if the right tools and supports were in place. Data-driven justice and diversion initiatives help bridge that gap by connecting individuals to needed services while still prioritizing community safety and the concerns of complaining witnesses. When implemented effectively, these systems ensure that mentally ill defendants are held accountable while also receiving the treatment and support necessary to reduce recidivism and prevent future disruptions in the community.
District Attorney John Creuzot - Dallas County
Using assessments, data, and proven diversion methods allows us to reset our default approach to handling criminal cases involving mentally ill defendants. Many of these cases could be more appropriately addressed within the health and human services system if the right tools and supports were in place. Data-driven justice and diversion initiatives help bridge that gap by connecting individuals to needed services while still prioritizing community safety and the concerns of complaining witnesses. When implemented effectively, these systems ensure that mentally ill defendants are held accountable while also receiving the treatment and support necessary to reduce recidivism and prevent future disruptions in the community.
Shifting Tides: The Continued Evolution of the "Fourth Wave" of America's Overdose Crisis
Kelly L. Olson, PhD - Millenium Health
Considering current and emerging opioid and stimulant use patterns, we will discuss trends in fentanyl positivity rates across the nation, focusing on co-detection of methamphetamine and cocaine in the population using fentanyl. Positivity changes in stimulant use from more recent times (2023 to 2025), will be highlighted.
Kelly L. Olson, PhD - Millenium Health
Considering current and emerging opioid and stimulant use patterns, we will discuss trends in fentanyl positivity rates across the nation, focusing on co-detection of methamphetamine and cocaine in the population using fentanyl. Positivity changes in stimulant use from more recent times (2023 to 2025), will be highlighted.