Facilitator: Greg K.
Description: This session will focus on “Understanding Anonymity and Misconceptions”. How does one maintain their own recovery while working in the recovery field and problems they may have encountered? Attendees in recovery share information and learn from each others’ experiences. A primary purpose of the meeting is to share personal experiences as well as up to date and useful information to help those in recovery.
Presenter: Eli Branscome, PhD, LCAS, LPCS
Description: When Moises Serrano was just a baby, his parents risked everything to flee Mexico and make the perilous journey across the desert in search of the American dream. Growing up in the rural south where he is forbidden to live and love, Moises sees only one option — to fight for justice. Forbidden is a feature length documentary about an inspiring young man whose story is exceptional, although not unique. Moises is like the thousands of young people growing up in the United States with steadfast dreams but facing overwhelming obstacles. Our film chronicles Moises’ work as an activist traveling across his home state of North Carolina as a voice for his community, all while trying to forge a path for his own future. Forbidden illustrates the intersection of queer and immigrant issues and addresses the realities facing LGBTQ minorities who have grown up in the rural south surrounded by white faces and homophobic attitudes. The threat is real — the KKK still holds weekly meetings not far from Moises’ hometown of Yadkinville, and he has found dead rats in his mailbox and white crosses on his front porch. Not everyone in the United States is treated equally or given a fair chance. Moises’ story demonstrates courage, conviction and an unyielding desire to succeed. Our goal with Forbidden is to motivate viewers to take action and inspire young people to speak out so that a story like Moises’ is not simply seen as remarkable, but is seen as normal.
Presenter: LaShanda Brown, PhD, GNP, Nursing Professor
Description: In the United States, chronic pain poses a significant health problem, is difficult to treat, and engages physical, emotional and psychosocial processes within an individual. There is an increasing body of research that includes evidenced-based somatic/cognitive interventions, such as yoga that help individuals to reduce stress, control pain and use less medication. In this brief workshop, participants will be introduced to the research on the use of chronic pain and will learn specific techniques that can help reduce chronic pain and foster neuroplasticity, which can bring about improvement in outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Facilitators: Paul A.; Matthew B.; Brandon C.; Billy F.; Marcus S.
Description: This session will focus on: What is Narcotics Anonymous? How someone can reach us and what we can do to help will also be discussed. A couple of us will give our experience of strength and hope.
Presenter: Mark Besen, PhD
Description: This is a community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. This session will have a special emphasis on preventing youth/teen/young adult suicide, which is the #2 cause of death for those aged 10-24. Attendees will learn the risks and warning signs of suicide, and how together, we can help prevent it.
(Sponsored by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)