Two Feathers, Native American Family Services to host Mental Health conference

Loleta, Ca., (KIEM) International, national and local leaders in child and adolescent mental health will be coming to Loleta to discuss Mental Health of Native American youth.

Two Feathers Native American Family Services teamed up with Stanford University, the county, Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District, and the Indian Health Service for a one day conference to address issues of opioid use, suicide, depression, and anxiety.

The goal is to get systems set in place, within the county, to meet the needs of Native American children such as cultural programs and counseling.

Behavioral Specialist Virgil Moorehead said the conference focuses on adults and children. However, it’s geared more towards the youth because Moorehead added, prevention is where it all begins.

“Part of the conference’s theme is how do we get behind that stigma and approach mental health differently so that kids will be willing to seek out Services when they need it. Research today suggests that youth are struggling with mental health and there’s some significant barriers to getting the services and the treatment that they need. We have to be creative and innovative in how we can reach them and connect with them so that they can trust us and they will ultimately get into treatment.”

The conference will be Thursday, September 26 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM at the Bear River Community Center.