Henderson County to host inaugural Behavioral Health Conference

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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – The Henderson County Department of Public Health will host the first-ever Henderson County Behavioral Health Conference on Monday, March 24 at Blue Ridge Community College from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This full-day conference brings together behavioral health professionals, community partners, local government representatives, leaders and individuals with lived experience to discuss behavioral health topics. Subjects include behavioral health challenges, evidence-based solutions and cross-system collaboration to strengthen behavioral health care and crisis response in the region.

“This conference provides a critical opportunity to address the behavioral health needs of our community while learning from experts who are leading change across the country,” said Melissa Witmeier, the Health Department’s Public Health Strategist for Behavioral Health. “We look forward to fostering meaningful conversations and collaboration among key stakeholders.”

Keynote speakers include:

  • A Framework for Change: How systems can better support individuals and strengthen communities through trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches.
    • Brett Loftis, JD – CEO, Crossnore Communities for Children
  • Beyond the Storm: Behavioral Health and Long-Term Disaster Recovery: Lessons from Louisiana’s response to mental health challenges following Hurricanes Katrina, Laura, and Delta.
    • Dr. Stephen Phillippi, Chair of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), & Tanya McGee, Deputy Director of Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority

In addition to the keynote presentations, attendees will participate in breakout sessions covering critical behavioral health topics, including crisis response, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, substance use recovery and strategies for building resilience in communities.

The conference is open to anyone invested in improving behavioral health in Western North Carolina.

Registration Details

Date: Monday, March 24, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Blue Ridge Community College, Technology Education and Development Center,

49 East Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC

Cost: $25 (includes CEUs, breakfast, and lunch)

Scholarships: Limited scholarships available for Peers and Students

Registration: https://mahec.net/home/event/75348

This conference is made possible through the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the Henderson County Department of Strategic Behavioral Health, and the Henderson County Department of Public Health.