The 8th annual K-12 PSD Mental Health Matters event will be held in person from 5:30 - 8 p.m., Monday, April 17, at Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 West Swallow Road, Fort Collins. Speakers will address a range of mental health topics that impact all grade levels. This K-12 district-wide event is free.
The event will begin with a keynote address by Aaron Wiemeir, MS-LPC and owner of High Mountain Counseling and Training Institute, about the effects COVID had on students and families and how to move forward
After the keynote, participants can choose to attend sessions on other mental health topics during two breakout sessions. A resource fair with representatives and information from more than 30 community organizations will also be available. Food trucks will also be on site throughout the evening.
For a complete list of breakout sessions, resources at the event and more information, please visit the Mental Health Matters website, where you can also view an online art exhibit by a PHS student.
First Breakout Session 6:25-7:10 p.m.
- Help For Billy—Trauma w/ young kids with Zach Rae from GOAL High School in Greeley. Zach Rae is an expert in working with young kids who suffer from trauma. Zach will discuss key points from the book “Help for Billy.
- Raising Resilient Kids with Brian Messinger
Brian Messinger is a pediatric psychologist at the Youth Clinic in Fort Collins who will talk about raising resilient kids in the age of hysteria. An open forum discussion will be held.
- Conscious Parenting with Joshua Emery
Josh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the Emery Counseling Center.
- Brainwise with Aloha Arceo-Apitz, Emely Mugica, Sandra Martinez and Alessandra Vassaux (presentation is in Spanish)
Brainwise is a program about understanding our emotions and how to access our “wise brain.”
- Marijuana and What to Look For with Cpl Sargent and Officer Jim
- Substance Prevention with Tiffany Dillon
Tiffany is the Outreach and Marketing Managers at Northpoint Recovery. She will present on substance use disorders and prevention.
- What You Need to Know about Fentanyl with Brandi Drtina
Brandi is a Peer Recovery Supervisor at The Northern Colorado Health Alliance. She will provide education regarding fentanyl and harm reduction.
Second Breakout Session 7:20-8:05 p.m.
- REPLY at the Alliance for Suicide Prevention is collectively made up of Dawn Kirk, Traci Sandoval, Kim Pratt, and Rachel Olssen
REPLY stands for resiliency, education, protecting the lives of youth. They will be discussing suicide prevention and coping skills.
- Trauma & resilience Language with Joshua Gaylord
Joshua Gaylord is a PHD candidate at Colorado State University, who works specifically in the areas of trauma and resilience. He is working to de-stigmatize language in the areas of trauma and resilience, so we all have the same language talking with youth.
- Emery Counseling -TBA
- Q.P.R with Aloha Arceo-Apitz, Emely Mugica, Sandra Martinez and Alessandra Vassaux (Presentation in Spanish)
Q.P.R stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. This is the suicide prevention model that is used in Poudre School District.
- Emotional Intelligence (E.Q) with Aaron Wiemeier
Aaron Wiemeier is the owner of High Mountain Counseling and Training Institute in Lakewood and also the keynote speaker for tonight. He will be presenting on EQ or emotional intelligence.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (D.B.T) & Adolescents with Meredith Vasa and Anica Zvonika
Meredith Vasa is a Certified Addiction Specialist and Licensed Professional Counselor at Northpoint Recovery. Anica Zvonika is a Licensed Addiction Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate.
- S.A.R.T Training with the Rocky Mountain High School Peers
SAVA trained peers provides information to learn more about what sexual assault and sexual harassment are and how to access for support.