health can be critical for people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. And because burnout can be high among those in social services, organizers want sta to reevaluate how they’re managing their health. Horne says she thinks America has a problem with vacation, with too many people letting vacation days go unused. She says she hopes the conference will help people prioritize their health and take actionable steps to improve their well-being. “You should go to work and do a good job, but at the end of the day, it’s just as important for you to go home and take care of your own health,” Horne says. “I’m trying to nd a way to give people more relaxing time.” Medical professionals will hold screenings for things like diabetes, HIV and blood pressure, and there will be several workshops dedicated to physical and mental healing. Organizers hope everyone in attendance will come away feeling refreshed and empowered to continue the mission of helping Ohio’s most vulnerable.
ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH One of the conference’s main themes this year will be mental health and the stigma that often comes with it. Organizers say they want to increase understanding about mental health issues in an eort to erase stigma and create more eective treatment plans.ey also are concerned with how children are able to cope with stigma and stereotypes while trying to manage their own health. “Our kids get labeled very early with mental health diagnoses,” Horne says, adding that without addressing stigma, such labels can lower self-esteem and hinder social development. “It’s a vicious cycle that we create starting at a very young age.” e conference’s speakers include a nationally renowned psychologist, a Pulitzer Prize winner, distinguished scholars and prominent nonprot leaders who will all address some aspect of mental health care. BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL Along with mental health, wellness will also be a primary topic at this year’s conference as organizers look to promote healthy lifestyles for UMADAOP employees and clients. Maintaining good physical
It’s a little different from most conferences, it has a very cultural, spiritual tone to it. - Jessica Horne, Executive Director of the Cleveland UMADAOP
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