Breakout Sessions

This training session offers a powerful blend of personal storytelling and practical education, designed to shift perspectives on opioid use and equip participants with life-saving harm reduction tools to include a Narcan training. At its heart is the story of a father who lost his child to an opioid overdose—a tragedy that became the catalyst for his transformation into an advocate for compassionate, evidence-based approaches to substance use. 

This workshop will examine the experiences of immigrant communities, especially Latino/a families, discuss factors affecting their mental health, and explore how faith leaders, advocates, and providers can work together to provide support and promote well-being.

This conversation will include simple practices to connect participants more deeply to self, spirit, nature and one another.  In times of uncertainty we can be curious about how to become more rooted in spiritual health as well as become more mobile in the places we get stuck. Scott will draw on experiences from leading Eco Grief Circles, Climate Aware Spiritual Direction circles and accompanying congregations seeking justice rooted in contemplation.  

What if our faith community is well informed about ACEs, Big T trauma, chronic little t trauma, and their impacts on overall health and well-being, including mental health?  What if we have challenged our toxic theology, made changes to our liturgy, and practice stigma-reducing language with the hope of full(er) engagement for and with people who live with these harms, yet we find more conflict, fear, and hurt feelings?  What if some of our other members are considering leaving?

After opening comments, Mary will facilitate discussion of struggles, lessons learned, and more from the experiences of those gathered who have sought engagement in an inclusive faith community with people who have been changed by Trauma.

People who use drugs and live with mental health challenges are facing more stigma than ever before as the drug war escalates and evidence based treatments are defunded at the federal level. How can we best show up to support folks living on the margins in this climate? How does having faith in Harm Reduction principles and practices help us navigate this challenging time? This workshop will explain the spiritual components of Harm Reduction and give churches and people of faith direction about creating liberatory space for people who use drugs and those that love them.

A short description of the process of guided meditation followed by drumming which will begin with a slow steady beat, expanding to a rousing, energetic cadence.

• Guided Imagery for Health, Happiness, and Conscious Living
• This science and heart based class shares practical guided imagery exercises using healing sounds from crystal and brass toning bowls and a Native American frame drum.

Faith and spirituality are often central to how clients make meaning, cope with hardship, and cultivate resilience. Yet many clinicians feel underprepared to engage these dimensions of a client’s life in ways that are both respectful and effective. This breakout will provide practical strategies for integrating faith into coping skills and resilience practices, discernment around when referral to a pastor or spiritual leader is appropriate, and resources for theological reflection that can support the healing journey.