Integral Care hosted the 22nd annual South Texas Family Support Conference (STFSC), the only bilingual conference specifically designed to:

  • enhance knowledge of mental health services,
  • heighten awareness of mental illness and developmental disabilities, and
  • identify resources and support systems for consumers and families within the South Texas region.

This year’s conference offered workshop sessions on topics such as improving physical health and managing chronic diseases, peer-led wellness and resiliency, myths and realities about bipolar disorder, suicide prevention, and many other important issues.

At Wednesday’s awards luncheon, keynote speaker René Craft shared her experiences working with and advocating for her son Jackson, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at a young age. Her advice to parents dealing with an unexpected diagnosis? Educate yourself, find a support group, and advocate for change. Her experiences testifying at legislative hearings and working to address inequities have shown Ms. Craft the power of sharing personal stories in order to improve the system of care for her son and others.

Congratulations to El Sol Award winners Deborah Kai Beresky, Wendy Cody, Christopher Johnson, Amy McNutt, Geoffrey Nickerson, Christopher Norris, Andrew Nuno, and Romy Zarate, and to La Luna Award winner Ricardo Mastroleo. Congratulations are also in order for scholarship winners Claudia Fernandez, Max Ortiz, and Patricia Rodriguez.

Thanks to our other keynote speakers, Dr. Luis Zayas and Liza Park, for their inspiring and informative words and for reminding us to remain hopeful in the face of adversity. Thanks also to the many wonderful workshop presenters and to our partner agencies: Corpus Christi State Supported Living CenterBorder Region Behavioral Health CenterRio Grande State Center, Behavioral Health Center of Nueces CountyTropical Texas Behavioral Health, Coastal Plains Community Center, and Hill Country MHDD Centers.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s conference in Laredo

 

2016 Keynotes Speakers:

Dr. Luis Zayas discussed his research on adolescent Latinas who have the highest rates of suicide attempts of any U.S. adolescent group.

Liza Park shared her personal experiences advocating for individuals experiencing mental illness.

René Craft shared her story about parenting a child with autism.

 

The 2016 Conference Program included:

  • A Ray of Hope in Navigating the System: Challenges faced by individuals with Intellectual and Development Disabilities and Mental Health.
  • When to Worry About My Child’s Worries?
  • Shaping Our Journey through Chaos: From a Whisper to a Roar
  • Understanding youth/young adults with Intellectual Disabilities who have experienced trauma
  • Hill Country Mental Health Veteran Services
  • Whole Health and Resiliency – A peer led approach to wellness
  • La Mariposa New Beginnings – Transforming from Illness to Recovery
  • The Difference between Situational and Clinical Depression
  • The Myth and the Reality of Bipolar Disorder
  • Managing Difficult Behavior
  • Individualized Education Program? Admission, Review and Dismissal? Supporting your child in Special Education
  • Mental Health 101: When someone you know has a mental illness
  • Suicide Prevention: How to help keep someone alive

View Conference Program