2024 MHM Presenters

April 16, 2024

Hosted at Fossil Ridge High School

5:15p-7:45p - Community Resource Fair

6:00p-7:30p - Key Note Speaker - Michael Kutcher

7:45p-8:30p - Break Out Presentations

Michael Kutcher

In this inspiring talk, Michael shares his incredible story of overcoming near-death experiences and how these challenges have transformed his perspective on life. Through his compelling narrative, Michael demonstrates how the seemingly ordinary aspects of our lives can hold profound value and meaning when viewed through the lens of gratitude and appreciation. By the end of his talk, Michael leaves his audience with a newfound appreciation for the precious gifts that surround us each day and a powerful shift in mindset towards embracing the beauty and wonder of the world around us. This talk is a must-see for anyone seeking to cultivate a more profound sense of gratitude and meaning in their lives.

Resource Fair Tables

Breakout Sessions: Presenters and Topics

Jo Locricchio from the Center for Family Outreach will be presenting on Building the B.A.S.E of Resilience. This break out session will cover what resilience is, why it is important to have it and what skills can be learned from a mindful practice that can help to develop a more robust resilient life.

School Resource Officer Megan Savage will be presenting on Cyber Safety Education. In this breakout session Officer Savage is ready to assist you in navigating the vital subject of cyber safety, with an emphasis on the applications utilized by students today. Uncover valuable insights into the connections within social media, cyberbullying and explore potential solutions.

M.J. Jorgenson, the Director of Addiction Response and Sam Bourdon, Harm Reductionist and Public Health Professional, from the Northern Colorado Health Alliance will be presenting on Engaging Young People with Harm Reduction Strategies. In this breakout session, participants will gain a greater understanding of substance use and trends with young people, while also learning the principles of harm reduction and how these can be applied to young people. This will foster greater support seeking behavior, reduce stigma and increase trust with adults.

Mark Smith, PhD in Neuroscience with research in several areas of sleep and circadian rhythms, will be presenting on The Basics of the Human Circadian Clock. In this breakout session he will describe the basics of the human circadian clock, which controls sleep and wakefulness, among other things. There will be a special emphasis on the disruptive impact of environmental light on the human circadian clock, including light from smartphones, computers, and TVs, and the long term health implications of these disruptions. There will also be recommendations for lifestyle changes to promote optimal health, such as avoiding smartphone use at specific times of day.

Kelly Glick, Poudre School District's Mental Health and Trauma Education Specialist, will be presenting on Suicide Prevention. This breakout session will review the current processes we have in place in Poudre School District to prevent suicide, in addition to ways parents can support these efforts at home. A summary of emergency mental health resources in our community will also be provided.

Melissa Jeffryes is an instructor at Colorado Counselor Training, and serves on the Board of Directors for Turning Point Center for Youth and Family Development. Melissa will be presenting on the DBT Toolkit: Practical Skills for Teens and Parents. In this breakout session an overview of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy strategies will be summarized. These strategies can help you and your teen navigate emotions, distress, interpersonal effectiveness and staying in the moment. Melissa will also review effective ways of responding and supporting your teen using these DBT strategies.

Light Refreshments Provided