Mental Health KC Presents…
Mental Health KC Presents is a series of free webinars intended to extend the education and training provided by the Mental Health KC Conference.
The views and opinions presented are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Metro Council.
Mental health professionals: Join us for the live webinar in order to receive a one-hour certificate of attendance. Certificates will not be offered for watching replays.
Important note for participants: AI note-taking apps are not permitted as a substitute for attendance. If an AI notetaker is logged in without the participant also being present in the session, it will be removed. Certificates of attendance will only be issued to individuals who are personally logged in for the full session.
By registering for a webinar, you are opting in to receive emails from Metro Council. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails.
Trainings and Webinars
Title: Sleep is a Superpower
Presenter: Michelle Lane
Thursday April 9, 2026 from 12-1pm Central Time (US and Canada)
Description: The sound of the alarm clock–That’s a sound we are familiar with and what that awful sound does, is stop us from doing the single most important behavioral experience that we have, sleep. If you’re an average person, 36 percent of your life will be spent asleep, which means that if you live to 90, then 32 years will have been spent entirely asleep. Yet, for most of us, we don’t give sleep a second thought.
For most of my life I have tolerated the need for sleep and thought of sleep as an illness that needed some sort of a cure. Well, it’s because you don’t do anything while you’re asleep, right? You don’t eat. You don’t drink. And so, therefore it’s a complete waste of time, right? Wrong. Actually, sleep is an incredibly important part of our biology and neuroscientists are beginning to explain why it’s a superpower. Sleep directly affects our relationships, life expectancy, libido, weight gain, cardiovascular health and more! Learn the science behind the value of sleep and how to leverage this superpower.
The presentation, “Sleep is a Superpower”, explores the critical role of sleep as a biological necessity rather than a luxury. It covers the science behind sleep’s impact on brain health, memory, emotional regulation, and physical well-being. Key topics include the glymphatic system’s role in detoxifying the brain during deep sleep, the stages and cycles of sleep, and the interplay between circadian rhythm and sleep drive. The presentation also addresses the consequences of sleep deprivation, its links to chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, obesity), and practical strategies for improving sleep hygiene. Evidence-based interventions such as CBT-I and lifestyle modifications are highlighted as tools for optimizing sleep health.
Zoom Registration for this webinar:
REGISTER HERE »
Michelle Lane is a certified nurse leader and health coach. Michelle has over 30 years’ experience in nursing, psychology, and wellness. She combines her love of health and education to assist people in achieving their goals related to health and happiness. She currently serves as Community Outreach Program Manager at Children’s Mercy.
Title:Beyond Survival: The Life You Have to Rebuild After Trauma
Presenter: Kaleb Stoppel
Thursday April 23, 2026 from 12-1pm Central Time (US and Canada)
Description: Trauma does not end when the moment is over. For many, that is where a different kind of journey begins.
In this session, I share my experience as a former school administrator who survived a school shooting and the reality of rebuilding life in the aftermath. While survival is often recognized and celebrated, far less attention is given to what follows. The identity shifts. The emotional challenges. The slow and intentional process of healing.
Through personal storytelling and reflection, this presentation offers insight into how trauma continues to impact individuals long after the event, and how we can better support those navigating life after trauma.
Zoom Registration for this webinar:
REGISTER HERE »
Kaleb Stoppel is an author, speaker, and mental health advocate who shares his journey of surviving a school shooting and rebuilding life in its aftermath. He is the author of One Step at a Time: Surviving a School Shooting, Rebuilding My Life, and Rediscovering What Matters Most, a book written to help others feel less alone in their own struggles. A former assistant principal and athletic director, Kaleb now speaks to organizations and communities about resilience, mental health, and the power of human connection. Through his work, he aims to be a resource for others and to remind them that healing is possible, one step at a time.
Past Webinars May Be Available on our YouTube Channel
Subscribe and click the notification bell to be alerted every time a past webinar is uploaded. Uploads may take a week or longer after the webinar takes place so please be patient. Certificates of attendance are not available for webinar replays.
Mental Health KC (Metro Council) hosts free educational webinars the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
Would you like to be a presenter? We take webinar proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.
These webinars are a great way to spread information or share research that helps educate either the general public or clinicians/therapists/social workers/others in mental health fields.
