The Value of the MHA Annual Conference

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By Renae Vania Tomczak, CEO, MHA of Greater Houston

Have you registered for the MHA Annual Conference? If not, what are you waiting for? The MHA Annual Conference held June 13-15, 2019, at the Hyatt Washington on Capitol Hill, is like no other conference in scope and depth. There is unsurpassed access to innovators, thought leaders, and decision makers in all that is mental health. And, the opportunity to network face-to-face with colleagues from around the country will have you returning to work invigorated and ready to explore new ideas and implement solutions to challenges your agency has faced.

Did I mention, it’s money well spent? While the MHA Annual Conference covers all facets of mental health, the cost to attend is less than the other national mental health conferences. As a chief executive, I get more value, and a better return on my investment at the MHA Annual Conference. Our agency is bringing five people who are eager to gain new insight and soak in new knowledge through interaction and collaboration.

“I’m excited that MHA of Greater Houston was selected to join other affiliates and amazing speakers this year – I’ll be speaking with my colleague Alejandra Posada about advancing sustainable integrated health care on Day 2. Learn how MHA of Greater Houston has brought together providers, payers, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders to increase and enhance integrated health care in Houston and the state of Texas in general. And – more importantly – consider how your organization can take the “lessons learned” and use them to advance integrated care in your community or state. Integrated health care, which coordinates “physical” and “behavioral” wellbeing, is essential in addressing people’s whole health needs – particularly for people with “dueling diagnoses.”

Despite how experienced or knowledgeable you think you are, there is always an opportunity to learn something new at the MHA Annual Conference. In this digital age, there is nothing like being in the presence of a speaker and engaging with peers in a more robust learning environment. Will this year’s conference generate change for your agency, when you hear an idea that will advance your or your agency’s capacity to change lives?

Though I am a speaker and I attend the MHA Annual Conference annually, my conference experience will start a few days early because I want to maximize my conference experience by attending the Policy Institute on June 11, and Pre-Conference Day on June 12. These Pre-Conference events are automatically included with MHA Annual Conference registration, if you are an MHA Affiliate.

When was the last time you attended the MHA Annual Conference? Don’t wait for the recap, or for someone to tell you about their conference experience. Get engaged, get motivated, get to the conference that everyone wants to attend. Don’t know the affiliate registration code? Contact MHA’s Valerie Sterns at vsterns@mentalhealthamerica.net.

I hope to see you in June!