For the Kids: Symposium offers ways to tackle to child and teen mental health issues
A continental breakfast reception fueled the guests at the Next Generation Youth Symposium of the Hope For Depression Research Foundation.
The "Resilience in Children: Teaching the Building Blocks of Mental Health" event took place Sept. 27 at Palm Beach Day Academy.
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The morning began with remarks by Scott Snyder, a resident and HDRF advisory council member.
HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton moderated a discussion with top experts in psychiatry, brain research and social work, each of whom gave vital insights into how parents, teachers and professionals can support young people to promote mental health.
Benton said: “We are in a pivotal moment in the national conversation on child and adolescent mental health. HDRF has a long track record in brain research and educating the public about depression. We are in a prime position to lead the conversation on how we can come together in support of our children’s mental health.”
Panelists were Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University; Dr. Marianne E. Chai, clinical instructor at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Child Medicine; Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University; Mike Giresi, chief clinical officer at Family First Adolescent Services; and Camilla Knoke and Isabella Tibbs from Active Minds chapter at Palm Beach Atlantic University. They engaged in conversation with an audience of 250 people including students, parents, guidance counselors, mental health professionals and other members of the community.
HDRF is set to host its 17th annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar on the topic of Resilience: Emerging Stronger From Life’s Greatest Challenges on Nov. 14 at The Plaza Hotel in New York.
This will be followed by the foundation’s signature Palm Beach event, the sixth annual 5K Race of Hope to Defeat Depression on Feb. 17. The event attracts hundreds of runners and walkers throughout South Florida to raise funds for mental health research.
Founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression, HDRF's mission is to spur the most innovative brain research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders — bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder and suicide.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Hope For Depression foundation hosts 'Resilience in Children' event
