MENTAL HEALTH & MISSIONS Conference
November 19-22, 2009 - Potawatomi Inn, Angola, Indiana

  Register for MHM

Since 1980, mental health professionals have been meeting each Fall at Potawatomi Inn & Conference Center in Indiana’s Pokagon State Park. 200+ people now attend each year with people traveling from all around the globe to benefit from the fellowship, the relaxing atmosphere and the professional presentations.

This year's theme:

Assessing and fostering resilience in missionaries

The 30th annual conference theme will focus on a variety of emerging mental health issues and treatment responses that are tuned into contemporary trends and concerns in Christian missions. Resilience is the capacity to rebound from stress and catastrophic events. Fostering resilience can strengthen and prepare missionaries to handle future difficulties. It can also help them to persevere and grow through pain and suffering.

What is the purpose of the conference?

Mental Health and Missions (MHM) was founded and designed to meet the needs of mental health providers who work with missionaries. MHM focuses on the needs for mutual encouragement, fellowship, and professional development.

Who should attend?

MHM is meant for counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and any other mental health providers. Such individuals will find this conference relationally rich and professionally invigorating. Although member care personnel and leaders from mission agencies are welcome, please recognize that presenters will be targeting mental health practitioners.

What will be some of the focal points of the plenary sessions and workshops?

PLENARY SESSIONS PRESENTERS
Parable of the Bridge
Denny Morrow, Ph.D.
An Overview of Expatriate Resiliency 
Duncan Westwood, Ph.D.
Priority of Self-Care
John Leverington, MSW
If You Want to Go Far…
Karen Carr, Ph.D.
Resilience Gained through Life’s Hardships
Scott Shaum, M.A.
RESEARCH AND RESOURCE FAIR
 
 
WORKSHOPS PRESENTERS
Christian Caregiving
Naji Abi-Hashem, Ph.D.
Fostering Spiritual Resiliency
RP Ascano, Ph.D.
Spirituality and Burnout:  A Study with Implications for Missionary Candidate Assessment and Member Care 
Unndis Bergas, Ph.D.
Challenges and Special Needs of MKs
Roger Brown, M.D.
Why People Stay: Factors, Attitudes, and Programs that Promote Resilience on the Field

Karen Carr, Ph.D.
Marion Dicke, M.A.
Ron Brown, D.Min

Stress Inoculation: Factors in Resilience; Conditions of Vulnerability
Lois Dodds, Ph.D.
Screening for Health Risks in the Missionary Population
Ken Gamble, M.D.
Counseling AS Mission: Opening Member Care to Cross-Cultural Ministry Opportunities
Fred Gingrich, D.Min
Attachment and Resiliency
Ann Hamel, Ph.D.
Breaking the Back of Child Abuse in Missions 
Becky Leverington, LCSW
Tactile Input: Flexibility & Resiliency
Steve Spinella, D.Min
John Powell, LMT
Resiliency Amid War and Violence
Willie Van Der Merwe, M.A.
Becoming Resilient by Developing a Personal Way of Practicing the Greatest Commandment

Duncan Westwood, Ph.D.

The Nature and Experience of Resilience
Marjory Foyle, DPM
Biological and Spiritual Aspects of Resilience
Frauke Schaefer, M.D.
   
   

Who are the conference planners?

Although MHM is hosted and administrated by Mission Training International, the genius and meat of this conference rests on the shoulders of the program coordinators who choose each year’s theme and speakers.

The program coordinators for 2009 are:
Dr. Roni Pruitt
Dr. Duncan Westwood
Dr. Charlie Schaefer
Dr. Jeanne Jensma
Dr. Steve Sweatman

What is the Schedule?

Thursday
3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Registration
5:00 to 6:15 p.m."Introduction and Welcome to the Mental Health and Missions Conference: How do Mental Health Practitioners get Involved in Serving Missions"
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Welcome Dinner and Plenary Session held in Lake James Room

Friday
Morning: Plenary Session followed by Workshops
Afternoon: Workshops
Evening: Plenary Session

Saturday
Morning: Plenary Session followed by Workshops
Afternoon: Workshops
Evening: Research and Resource Fair

Sunday
Morning: Worship and Plenary Session
Sunday Brunch
12:00 noon Conference ends

Dates & Rates:

MHM 2009 – November 19 - 22 Double Occupancy Per person

Early Conference Fee and Room & Board - Before October 1
$428
Conference Fee and Room & Board - October 1-31
$454
Late Conference Fee and Room & Board - November 1 and After
$469
Single Occupancy - Please add:
$140

* Prices are per person for a shared room for all three nights. Add $140 for single occupancy if you prefer a room alone. (Individuals choosing single occupancy will be assigned rooms with only one bed. The expectation is that a single room reservation is for one person only.)
ALL ROOMS IN THE INN ARE NOW SMOKE-FREE!!

+ Early registration fees apply for payments received before October 1, 2009.
+
Late registration fees apply for payments received after November 1, 2009.

Payment in full is required at registration.

Cancellation Policy:
If cancellation occurs before October 1, $30 administration fee is non-refundable.
If cancellation occurs before November 1, $145 fee is non-refundable.
Total conference cost is non-refundable if cancellation occurs after November 1.

Register Now for MHM

Click here for a Printable Registration Page if you want to register via mail or fax.

   

 
 
 
 

 

 

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