Good morning, stakeholders, Happy Friday! Please see below for details on two of the fantastic presentations being offered at the OPCSMH 6th Biennial Conference on May 18th, 2023, at Quest Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio! Mental Health is Physical Health: Stigma Reduction Starts with Me Efforts to reduce stigma and promote access to mental health is needed now more than ever. Research shows the devastating gap in resources and the ever-growing number of persons with mental health disabilities that often go untreated. Despite meaningful campaigns and commitments to address the problem, there continues to be a steady rise. The question is "why?" and the answer is "me." Chardé Hollins, Hollins, MSW, LSW, Executive Director, Relevant Connections, will challenge participants to explore their own implicit biases regarding mental health and discuss the influences of history and culture in perpetuating stigma. Through discussion, strategies for stigma reduction and promoting mental health as physical health will develop, providing attendees with ready-to-go preventative and culturally responsive efforts for becoming successful advocates. [A person with dreadlocks and a qr code Description automatically generated with medium confidence] Gambling and Lethality: Why Ask? According to the CDC, in 2021, suicide was in the top 9 leading causes of death in the United States (2023). This issue disproportionately impacts individuals living with Gambling Disorder. While studies indicate 1 in 5, or 20%, will attempt suicide, far more are living with suicidal ideation. These numbers alone answer the question of "why ask about suicide?" But beyond that, "what can we do about it?" Abdullah Mahmood, LSW, LCDCIII-GAMBp, OCPA, Program Coordinator, Program Gambling Network of Ohio, joins us to discuss the correlation between Gambling Disorder and lethality in terms of data and societal impact, and to provide effective strategies to better address the issue of Gambling Disorder and lethality in our communities and organizations. [A picture containing text, screenshot, font Description automatically generated] Click here<https://www.eeds.com/portal_live_events.aspx?ConferenceID=391904&Portal_SIN=230156> to register for the OPCSMH 6th Biennial Conference! Please feel free to reach out to opcsmh@neomed.edu<mailto:opcsmh@neomed.edu> with any questions you may have! Chris Tutino, MPH (he, him, his) Dissemination Coordinator, Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health (OPCSMH) Department of Psychiatry