Larry Fricks is internationally known for his work designing the first Medicaid-billable certified peer specialists program in the U.S. during his nearly 13 years as director of Georgia’s Office of Consumer Relations and Recovery in the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases. Read more...    

 

Monday Night Comedy Show: 7:00-8:30 p.m. 

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

 

 

David Granirer 

 

David Granirer, counselor, stand-up comic, and author of The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead to Happiness and Success, created and leads Stand Up For Mental Health. David teaches stand-up comedy to people with mental illness as a way of building their confidence and fighting public stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. Read more...  

 

A workshop presented by David Granirer will be available for conference attendees on Monday.

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Do you know someone with a lived, personal experience of behavioral health issues; including mental illness, addiction, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimers and related dementia, and similar challenges?

Do you know someone who is a primary caretaker of someone with these experiences? Or direct service provider?

Did you know this conference is an educational and inspiring conference that reinforces positive change and wellness?

“Peer Powered Systems” is a two-day conference hosted by the Alaska Peer Support Consortium, a statewide network of peer-driven behavioral health organizations, individuals, caregivers, family members, students, educators, and direct service providers who live and work in with peer-support and peer-operated recovery services.

The 2011 conference will take place on Monday and Tuesday, April 11 & 12, at the Sheraton Anchorage downtown, and will feature keynote speakers, break-out sessions, a comedy show with mental health comedian David Granirer, exhibits and lots of peer-support!

“A peer is someone with a lived, personal experience of behavioral health issues – including mental illness, addiction, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s and related dementia, and similar challenges.”

Early Bird Registration Deadline: January 31, 2011. EXTENDED! FEBRUARY 14.

Scholarship Deadline: January 31, 2011. EXTENDED! FEBRUARY 14!

Comments from participants at our last conference:

"I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and hearing about their work.  This conference is one of the nicest conferences I have ever attended in Alaska.  The atmosphere has been simply marvelous - everyone has been so welcoming and considerate of each other."

“Quit tobacco and start a support group for that.”   

“Share what I know and follow my intuition.”   

“Confidence building.  Start NOW. Write affirmations.”   

“I know I need to eat healthier foods.  I don’t know when I’ll start. I think I need a support network.”   

“Having a chance to someday be a peer support provider.”   

“Organizing needs in community for unified action.”   

“Have peer support recognized as a valuable resource by clinicians.”   

“More support groups and NAMI groups.”   

“More community based options for adults.”   

“Peer support. Positive reinforcement.”   

“Better peer support.”   

“How to get more involved and get the community involved in helping to eliminate stigma.”   

“The Medicine Wheel”   

“Confidence in my abilities.”   

“Better peer support skills – more empowerment and recovery ideas. Excellent nutrition and coping skills.”   

“Maybe doing small things together.”   

“Sense of balance between med use and alternatives.”   

“Start email exchange list.”   

“Think positive. I will start now. I must remember that this is good, and better than thinking negatively.”

“Continue to be informed with updated knowledge.”    

   Platinum Sponsor: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

  Gold Sponsor: GCI

  Hosted by: Alaska Peer Support Consortium

 photos: (c) George Clark 2010