Overland Park, KS – Our communities are facing profound mental health challenges that sometimes lead to addiction, depression, and uncertainty. The journey toward improved mental health can be challenging, and so it requires resilience, support, and understanding. This year’s Mental Health KC Conference brings together keynote speakers whose personal and professional experiences offer invaluable insights into navigating these difficult roads toward joy.
Now in its 10th year, the Mental Health KC (MHKC) Conference offers connection, learning, and growth. The conference is an opportunity for professionals and those interested in mental health topics to come together in the spirit of education and awareness.
When: Thursday, May 29th, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Friday, May 30th, 9 a.m. – Noon
Where: Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
The Metropolitan Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers (“Metro Council”) organizes this event every May in recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month thanks to generous sponsorships from Netsmart, Children’s Mercy Hospital, and Community Mental Health Fund of Jackson County, Missouri.
The MHKC conference will highlight well-known keynote speakers, as well as local and regional subject-matter experts focusing on various topics of behavioral health and well-being.
Thursday, May 29th Keynote:
Dr. Stephen Loyd – An Internal Medicine/Addiction Medicine physician and Vice-President of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Loyd brings both personal experience and professional expertise to the conversation on substance use and recovery. With more than 20 years in recovery, he has advocated for better addiction treatment practices and has served as an expert witness in numerous federal and state cases.
Friday, May 30th Keynote:
Dr. Ashley Smith – A licensed clinical psychologist and recognized expert in anxiety and related disorders, Dr. Smith will present “Unseen Joy: Finding Happiness Despite Circumstances.” Through personal stories and scientific insights, she will challenge common misconceptions about happiness and offer actionable strategies to create lasting joy, even in difficult times.
The conference is designed to benefit community health, mental health, and social service professionals, as well as business leaders, human resource professionals, and the general public. Participants can expect:
- 70 breakout sessions on topics including trauma-informed care, resilience, suicide prevention, substance abuse, lived experience/peer support, neurodiversity, anxiety, depression, workplace mental health, youth mental health, and leadership
- Networking opportunities with more than 900 peers and professionals passionate about supporting mental well-being
- Access to resources from community organizations and service providers
To ensure accessibility for all, early registration (before May 15th) remains at just $50. Late and on-site registration will be available at $75. Participants can pay extra for professional CEUs: Available for an additional $20 (Certificates of Attendance are free)
For more information and to register, please visit MentalHealthKC.org.
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About Metro Council
The Mental Health KC Conference is organized and presented by the Metropolitan Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers (“Metro Council”), which represents nine public mental health organizations in the Greater Kansas City area. Metro Council is a collaborative nonprofit organization serving the Greater Metropolitan Kansas City area. It provides ongoing educational programs, information, and resources to both mental health professionals and the general public. It is the mission of Metro Council to build a stronger safety net of local community behavioral health centers to provide Kansas Citians with behavioral health services, regardless of who they are, where they live, or their ability to pay. Find out more at MentalHealthKC.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
More About our Platinum Sponsors:
Netsmart
Netsmart is an industry-leading healthcare technology organization empowering providers to deliver value-based care to the individuals and communities they serve. The Netsmart CareFabric® platform serves as a unified, connected framework of solutions and services for human services, post-acute, payer and public sector communities. Our human services community includes addiction treatment, autism, behavioral health, child and family services, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), public health and integrated care providers such as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs). Together with our clients and Marketplace vendors, we develop and deliver innovative technology, including electronic health records (EHRs), interoperability, analytics, augmented intelligence (AI), population health management and telehealth solutions and services that assist organizations in transforming the care they deliver. The result has helped make a positive impact on the lives of more than 147 million individuals.
For more than 55 years, Netsmart has helped provider organizations in their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we collectively serve. To learn more, visit ntst.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or X.
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Founded in 1897, Children’s Mercy is a leading independent children’s health organization dedicated to holistic care, translational research, educating caregivers and breakthrough innovation to create a world of well-being for all children. With not-for-profit hospitals in Missouri and Kansas, and numerous specialty clinics in both states, Children’s Mercy provides the highest level of care for children from birth through the age of 21. U.S. News & World Report has repeatedly ranked Children’s Mercy as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.” For the fifth consecutive time in a row, Children’s Mercy has achieved Magnet nursing designation, awarded to only about 8% of all hospitals nationally, for excellence in quality care. More than 850 pediatric subspecialists, researchers and faculty across more than 40 subspecialties are actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research and education of the next generation of pediatric subspecialists. Thanks to generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s Mercy provides hope, comfort and the prospect of brighter tomorrows to every child who passes through its doors. Visit Children’s Mercy and the Children’s Mercy Research Institute to learn more, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for the latest news and videos.
