PR: NAMI Southwestern PA Hosts 16th Annual Educational Conference

Media Contact:

mkozlovac@namiswpa.org
Office: (412) 366-3788
Cell: (814) 421-8470

Image 1: PDF of Press Release
Image 2: Conference Picture [click images for larger view]

PITTSBURGH, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) —  Promising intervention programs for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) have shown to offer real hope for recovery to the hundreds of thousands of adolescents and young adults who experience their first psychotic episode each year.  Typically, a first psychotic episode occurs during a critical developmental stage of an individual’s life, ages 15-25. Without early treatment, research has shown that young adults are at risk of dropping out of school, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, incarceration, and suicide.

WHAT:  NAMI Southwestern PA 16th Annual Educational Conference
A Call to Action: Creating a Movement to Change Lives

WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 2016 | 8:00am to 4:30pm

WHERE: Pittsburgh Airport Marriott, 777 Aten Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108

WHO:

• Mary Giliberti, CEO, NAMI
• Irene M. Hurford, MD, Assistant Professor,
• Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania
• Zach Valenti, Founder, Project Uplift
• Eva Bednar, Dick Jevon Advocacy Award Recipient
• Panel Discussion with representatives from Community Care Behavioral Health, UPMC, Value Behavioral Health Services, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services

This conference aims to challenge our region to implement not only promising early intervention programs for First Episode Psychosis, but to create a dialogue that leads to appropriate and necessary changes to current treatments and supports.  Through these changes, emerging adults can receive effective care and improve recovery outcomes.  The conference will discuss current advancements from renowned physicians, researchers, and advocacy leaders.

NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania (an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery focused support, education and advocacy. More information is available at www.namiswpa.org or by calling (412) 366-3788.

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