Porter County Community Event to Focus on Modern Day Challenges Impacting Mental Health and Addiction

Who: Justice Partners Addiction Response (JPAR) of Porter County

 

What: Coping with Modern Day Challenges Impacting Mental Health and Addiction - A free community education event provided by Justice Partners Addiction Response (JPAR) of Porter County focusing on factors that affect mental health and addiction, including vaping, substance misuse, gaming, and social media.  The event is sponsored by the Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County in affiliation with the Valparaiso University College of Nursing and Health Professions.

 

When: Friday, September 27, 2024 @ 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. w/8:00 a.m. check-in

 

Where:  Valparaiso University, Harre Union Ballroom – 1509 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383

 

AGENDA: PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

8:30 – 8:45 a.m.  - The Honorable Mary A. DeBoer, Porter County Circuit Court Judge - Welcoming remarks and keynote introduction 

8:45 – 10 a.m.  – Keynote - Dr. Delaney Ruston, MD, filmmaker, Stanford-trained physician and creator of award-winning films including Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age which delves into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence, debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments.

10:00 – 10:15 am Break

10:15 – 11:30 a.m. - Movie Presentation - Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs,         and Alcohol in the Digital Age.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Dr. Delaney Ruston, MD - Post Film Follow-Up Q&A 

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch on own (campus dining available)

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Shirley Dubois, MS, Regional Program Director, Tobacco Prevention and Cessation/Indiana Department of Health - Addressing and Improving Addiction Challenges Caused by Tobacco Marketing: Porter County 2024 Data 

2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Dr.  Amanda Zelechoski, J.D., Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychology, Purdue University Northwest  - The Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health and Substance Use

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 – 3:00 - Captain Joe Hall, Valparaiso Police Dept. - Porter County Crisis Intervention Team Update

3:00 - 3:15 p.m. - Todd Van Buskirk, MSW, LCSW, LCAC and Melanie Johnsen, MA - Crisis Care at Porter-Starke Services: What’s New and Why? 

3:15 – 3:45 p.m. - Todd Willis, MA, LMHC, LCAC, LPC, Director of Community Engagement, Porter-Starke Services – Introduction to the My Strength App: A free, 24/7, confidential, online resource of emotional health support and tools.

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. – The Honorable Mary A. DeBoer – Closing remarks

 

Why: To educate the community about issues impacting mental health and addiction, including vaping, substance misuse, gaming, social media, and commercial tobacco marketing intentionally targeting youth and young adults. The information is intended for parents/guardians, school personnel, policy-makers, law enforcement, social workers, mental health workers, recovery support providers, adult and juvenile justice system partners, faith community members, public health professionals and other interested community members. CEUs and CLEs are available.

 

For additional information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1003855738537?aff=oddtdtcreator.  

 

Justice Partners Addiction Response (JPAR) was developed in 2019 as a result of an Indiana Supreme Court initiative to offer counties the opportunity for funding to increase their capacity to respond to the Opioid Crisis. JPAR is a multidisciplinary team of decision-makers, led by a Judge, to identify local resources and service gaps concerning addiction and mental health. The Porter County team focuses on reduction of barriers to recovery; increased awareness regarding addiction and mental health; and training opportunities to reduce stigma and to provide research supported practice concerning addiction and mental health.