The second annual Black Mental Health and Wellness Conference will be held on October 26, 2024, at Parkland Community College, from 8 AM to 4 PM. The event organizer is Donna Tanner-Harold, LCPC, a retired college faculty counselor.
When discussing how this event started, Harold says, “Everybody’s talking about mental health, and nobody seems to really understand what it is.” This conference aims to change that. Donna Tanner-Harold launched this event last year because she wanted to go “a little bit more public with explaining those things and giving people a greater understanding of not only what it is, but also some solutions and coping skills.”
Harold emphasizes the importance of approaching mental health from a trauma-informed lens: “In trauma-informed care, we look at people in terms of ‘What can we do for you? How have you been harmed?’ rather than ‘What’s wrong with you?’” This perspective fosters more positive outcomes for individuals, families, and entire communities.
The keynote speaker will be Anjanette Young, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Chicago area, experienced in mental health interventions, crisis management, and trauma-informed treatment. Anjanette founded the “I Am Her” Not-For-Profit Foundation in 2021 after her unfortunate encounter with the City of Chicago Police Department.
The conference will also include sessions featuring in-depth conversations about racialized trauma, difficult discussions about mental health, grief, the Black church, parenting, and wellness.
Tracy Parsons, Community Coalition facilitator, notes that while many topics covered at the conference are applicable to everyone, the organizers have been intentional about focusing on the Black community. “The time is right for these important conversations, especially regarding the impact on Black individuals, families, and communities. When we think about people not being comfortable enough to say, ‘I need help,’ we can see how this may lead to serious outcomes like suicide and gun violence.” The goals of this conference are critical for our community and its members.