top of page

​

Silver Spring Civic Building 

1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD 20910

9 am  - 3 pm  October 12, 2018 

​

Students from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, will speak frankly about school mental health: what's working, what's not working, and what school administrators need to know. Come join us for an interactive panel presentation led by students, a catered lunch, networking, a school awards ceremony, and supportive, evidence-based workshops from leaders in the field. 

​

Proceeds from this event will support Adolescent Peer Support League's ongoing Peer Support training and operations, and will help develop scholarship funding for individuals who want to become certified peer supporters in their state. Please note that space for this event is limited, and that registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

General Info

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

   8:30 am - 9:15 am: Registration

   9:15 am: KEYNOTE

   9:30 am: Student Panel Presentations

   10:15 am: Q & A

   11 am: Mid-morning break 

   11:15 am - 12 pm: Breakout sessions/ workshops

   12:00 pm - 1:15 pm: Catered Lunch (see detailed menu on registration form)

   1:30 pm - 2:15 pm: Breakout sessions/ workshops 

   2:30 pm- 3 pm : School Awards Ceremony 

   3 pm- 3:15 pm: Voice Montage Presentation 

   3:15 pm: Closing Ceremony

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

THIS YEAR'S STUDENT PANEL

IMG_1561.jpg

aLEXANDER MORENO, cOLLEGE FRESHMAN

Alexander Moreno is one of the founding members of the Virginia Students Coalition for Mental Health. He has helped write and lobby for various policies at both the local and state-wide level, including Senate Bill 953. This bill mandates that the Commonwealth of Virginia must teach mental health in ninth and tenth grade health classes and was passed into law during the summer of 2018. Alex is a freshman at the University of Virginia and is planning on studying public policy and economics with the long-term goal of attending law school. 

CHOETSOW TENZIN.jpg

choetsow tenzin, college freshman

Choetsow Tenzin is a co-founder of the Virginia Students Coalition for Mental Health, through which she co-authored and lobbied for Senate Bill 953. Aside from writing policy proposals and lobbying, Choetsow's interests include Model United Nations, Student Government, and community service. As a Tibetan American, she maintains a strong passion for human rights issues and international affairs. She is currently taking a gap year traveling and studying abroad before heading to Harvard University next fall.

IMG_6494.JPG

lucas johnson, college freshman

Lucas Johnson is a co-founder of the Virginia Students Coalition for Mental Health. Earlier this year, he co-authored and assisted in passing Senate Bill 953. Currently a freshman at Bowdoin College, he is majoring in government/legal studies and economics, with the intention of eventually attending law school and going into public service. A resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, he has spent much of his time attempting to help improve his community, having worked on issues pertaining to refugees, global health, and environmental conservation.

unnamed.jpg

Nyana Martin, High school Senior

Nyana is a senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy, a public charter high school in Washington D.C. 'Thurgood Marshall Academy prepares students to succeed in college, and instills in students an understanding of democracy and advocacy for themselves and for others.' (TMA 2018). Nyana is active in her school and the local community. She serves as a Student Advisory Council Member of the District’s State Board of Education, and she is a founding member of “Pathways to Power”, a student-led activist group. Next fall, Nyana plans to attend college and major in political science.

ROHINI NAMBIAR.jpg

rohini "RO" nambiar, COLLEGE SENIOR

Rohini "Ro" Nambiar is a senior at the University of Maryland College Park majoring in Public Health Science with a minor in Business. She was elected by the undergraduate student body in April to serve as the 2018-2019 Vice President of Student Affairs for UMD's Student Government Association. Last year Ro served as UMD SGA's Director of Health and Wellness where she discovered her passion for mental health through advocacy and programming on campus. She was awarded the Student Wellness and Mental Health Advocacy Award this May for demonstrating a commitment to college student mental health and wellness through her work with SGA and the UMD Counseling Center. 

AnthonyJames.jpg

Anthony James, High School Senior

Anthony is a senior at Thurgood Marshall Academy, a public charter high school in Washington D.C. 'Thurgood Marshall Academy prepares students to succeed in college, and instills in students an understanding of democracy and advocacy for themselves and for others,' (TMA 2018). Anthony spent this summer at Stanford University participating in a STEM program for high school students. A native Washingtonian, Anthony is committed to breaking stereotypes of African-American young males in his community, and he is working with the school’s college counselor on ways to help more of his peers get into college. Next fall, Anthony plans to attend college and major in biology and neuroscience. 

rachelepstein pic.jpg

 Rachel Epstein-Shuman,

 High School Sophomore

Rachel Epstein-Shuman attends Woodrow Wilson High School and is a sophomore. She loves getting involved in communities and doing hands-on work to make the world a better place. Rachel interned at Break the Cycle, and became a member of the "Let's be Real" community, advocating for young teens who were sexually assaulted or had experienced dating abuse. She spoke on a panel organized by the MOST Club, which circulates DC Public Schools and Break the Cycle

dawn-site.jpg

Dawn Bunch, COLLEGE FRESHMAN (KEYNOTE SPEAKER)

Dawn Bunch is a freshman at UMBC Honors College, attending as a Sondheim Fellow, majoring in Psychology. She graduated from Albert Einstein's International Baccalaureate Program. In her freshman year of high school, Dawn became the youngest student ever to intern at the American Psychological Association (APA), where she did research and writing in their Public Interest Directorate Office. During the summer of her sophomore year, Dawn worked in APA's Women’s Program Office, where she sat on the planning committee for the American Psychological Association "I'm Psyched" Annual Conference. Dawn later founded Adolescent Peer Support League (APSL), as a direct response to what she saw as epidemic levels of suicide, depression, and bullying in high school communities across the country. Through her continued work with APSL, Dawn is a strong proponent of using peer support in schools, as a viable solution to the problems facing students in her generation. 

aLEXANDER MORENO, cOLLEGE FRESHMAN

CHOETSOW TENZIN.jpg

Monday - Friday 11:00 - 18:30

Saturday 11:00 - 17:00

Sunday 12:30 - 16:30 

 

What Helps, What harms?

 A Presentation of Qualitative Data from the 2016 Study by the Maryland Coalition of Families’ Youth Group and On Our Own of Maryland's TAY Project

COLESVILLE ROOM

What Helps, What Harms Maryland is a quality improvement project launched in August 2014 by On Our Own of Maryland's transitional age youth outreach project in partnership with Taking Flight, The Maryland Coalition Of Families, Youth Adult Advisory Board. This initiative was designed to infuse the youth and young adult voice into strategic planning process and policy actions for systematic change in youth serving systems.

Facilitator:
Lauren Grimes
Director of Network and Peer Services
On Our Own of Maryland
photo 2.jpg
Facilitator:
Ann Geddes
Director of Public Policy
Maryland Coalition of Families

CoORdinated Student ServIce Teams

A Presentation by the Maryland State Department of Education.

GREAT HALL

Coordinated student services and student service teams exist in all Maryland Public Schools. They use a multi-tiered approach to prevention and intervention for student mental health and school success. This workshop will provide information about the coordinated student service model and the intervention strategies used to address mental health and school climate.

Facilitator:
Lynne E. Muller, Ph. D., NCC, LCPC
Section Chief, Student Services and School Counseling
Facilitator:
Deborah Nelson, Ph. D., NCSP
Section Chief, School Safety and Climate

IT HURTS! MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN AT SCHOOL

A presentation by Pain Psychologists from Children’s National Health System.

ELLSWORTH ROOM

This workshop will focus on introducing types of chronic pain common to children and adolescents, the ways school stress impacts both pain and mental health, and recommendations for school support and accommodations for these students informed by research and best practices in pain psychology.

Facilitator:
Laura Gray, Ph. D.
Attending Psychologist, Behavioral Pain Medicine
Children's National Health System
Facilitator:
Angela Fletcher, Psy. D.
Director, Behavioral Pain Medicine
Children's National Health System
WORKSHOPS

Peer Generation Youth Training

Peer Generation is a program run by Doors to Well being, providing a mutual learning environment based on foundations of resiliency, including Hope, Connection, Self Determination, and Meaning.

FENTON ROOM

Peer generation is a workshop developed for youth and emerging adults to identify personal pathways to empowerment, resiliency and wellness. In this interactive, upbeat workshop, participants are given the opportunity to learn about the Peer Generation Movement of Empowered Young Leaders.

Facilitator:
Kelly Davis
Director of Peer Advocacy,
 Supports and Services at Mental Health America
Co-Facilitator:
Ryan Tempesco
Program Support Coordinator 
Doors to Wellbeing

IS IT ANGER OR SOMETHING ELSE?

A workshop presented by professors at Trinity Washington University and Bowie State University.

SPRING ROOM

This workshop will explore symptoms of adolescent depression and how it differs from adults.  Furthermore, this workshop will explain the relationship between depression and anger using examples that are more likely to be seen in a school setting.

Dr. Bishop-1.jpg
Facilitator:
Christopher L. Bishop, Psy.D., LICSW
Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Relations at Trinity University
​
sm_Photography-17.jpg
Facilitator:
​Charla A. McKinzie Bishop, Ph.D., M.S.ed.
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Child and Adolescent Studies at Bowie State University
​

So what is normal?

On the common challenges youth & young adults face when living with a mental health diagnosis, by the Washington DC Department of Education.​

ELLSWORTH ROOM

This workshop is geared towards students and parents and is a guided conversation on the stigma young people may face when they live with a mental disorder. We will discuss ways to reduce the stigma and normalize the conversation on mental health.

Facilitator:
Teresa King
Resiliency Specialist
Department of Behavioral Health
Co-Facilitator:
Shanica Raiford

BREAKING BARRIERS

A Presentation by a junior and mental health advocate at Georgetown University.

COLESVILLE ROOM

Mental health treatment plays a vital role in the journey of recovery. However, there are many barriers to seeking care, especially for young adults. This workshop explores what programs universities can create to provide further support for students. We will examine what strategies are being taken at Georgetown University in order to address students' needs.  

kenna chick_edited.jpg
Facilitator:
Kenna Chick
Chair of the Georgetown University Student Association Mental Health Policy Coalition

Improving Mental Health By the Way we talk and listen

Talking with virtual teens to build our skills in using research-proven communications techniques and strategies that are designed to promote behavior change. Presented by Kognito.

​

Conference attendees will each receive free access to one full-length Kognito Simulation of their choice.

SPRING ROOM

In this hands on session, we will explore the power of conversation to support mental wellness, and how we can all get better at having those conversations by engaging in role play with virtual people. We will talk about why this is true and how we know it.

kimberly wieland.jpg
Facilitator:
Kimberly Wieland
Senior Client Experience Executive
Kognito

The Bully,

The By- Stander, and the Victim

A Presentation by Clinical Professional Psychologist, Deon Brown.

FENTON ROOM

This workshop presentation will focus on teaching school administrators, teachers, and other personnel  the differences in a school setting between The Bully, The By- Stander, and the Victim. Common myths concerning bullying will be explored, and debunked. Signs to look for to identify students who are actively victims of being bullied  will be explored, along with viable tips to help them. The community approach to handling the epidemic of bullying as a team will be explored as well.

deon brown.png
Facilitator:
Deon Jarmall Brown
Counselor, LCPC, LCADC, CCTP
Registration

Individual Registration $135 per person.

Group Registration $90 per person.

Register as a group to wave your school or organization's banner!

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

​

If your browser cannot open the registration form, please call us at 301-312-2407 to receive a pdf version of the form.

*please note speakers full biographies are listed under the "2018 SPEAKERS" section

​

REGISTRATION

School Awards

​

Nominate a School in your district to receive an award for spearheading resources in support of student mental health!

 

Award Categories

High schools and colleges/universities will be judged seperately

 

Platinum Award: School Champion Award

Given to schools that currently have active programs to support school mental health, and have made significant progress in support of the health and well being of their student community 

 

Gold Award: Health Program Award 

Given to schools that have invested resources to expand their current student mental health programs, and that are actively engaging students in student crisis prevention training and education.

 

Silver Award: Outreach Engagement Award 

Given to schools that are actively seeking creative ways to improve their support of student mental health programs and activities 

 

To Nominate a School Email us at info@adolescentpeersupport.org

ANNUAL AWARDS COMMITTEE

mark schubert_edited.jpg

Mark is a business development manager at BHS, which provides a range of behavioral health, mental health, employee wellness and well being programs. 

​

Mark has served in a number of roles throughout his career, with experience in coordinating major events, program management, and the management of major awards and recognition programs. 

 

A native of suburban Baltimore, Mark graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. Mark continues to give back to his community through volunteer work and his support of local charities.

Mark Schubert

Awards Committee, Chair

katie schubert_edited.jpg

Katie Schubert taught as an early childhood teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools for five years, including as a second and third grade teacher at a Title 1 elementary school. Throughout her career, Katie practiced many mental health and wellness activities with her students, many of whom came from low income families. 

Katie Schubert

Awards Committee

laura.PNG

Born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania, Laura attended Binghamton University and graduated in 2009 with a B.S. in Human Development. She then attended graduate school at East Stroudsburg University, graduating with a her Elementary Education Teaching Certification and Masters in Education in 2012. 

Laura Franceski

Awards Committee

EVENT SPONSORS

APSL Logo
burgerfi logo.png

EVENT Champions

BPPS.jpg
unnamed.png
logo.png
HCPS_Four Cornerstones Logo_full color.p

EVENT Partners

unnamed.jpg
Sketch001.jpg
med_summit-479.jpg
RI_tag_blk.jpg
mosc.png
unnamed (2).png
metrotalk(1).jpg
SGCLogo Transparent - PNG.PNG

Light Breakfast, Lunch and desserts catered by our

Event Partner,

Saint Germain Catering 

Lunch Menu

FAJITA STATION

• Char-grilled chicken breast and skirt steak with fresh cilantro and spices, accompanied by sautéed peppers and onions

 

• Grilled flour tortillas

• Fresh shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, SGC signature guacamole, sour cream and hand-shredded cheddar

 

• SGC spanish rice and ranchero beans with peppers, onions and fresh cilantro

• Hand-fried fresh tortilla chips and fire roasted tomato salsa

Seasonal Baby Green Salad with fresh vegetables and duo of SGC dressings

​

SMOOTHIE STATION - MADE ON-SITE

Fresh Strawberries, Blackberries and Blueberries, Greek Yogurt, Ice, Local Honey, Fresh Bananas

​

GOURMET CUPCAKE FAVORS

Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream, Rich Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Buttercream

Peach Belini Cupcake with Champagne Buttercream

​

​

bottom of page