The University of Houston-Downtown Counseling Department’s third annual Mental Health Matters Event brought together a powerful community of advocates, practitioners, students, and employees committed to learning and community support.
A vendor fair kicked off the three-day event on a high note. There, friendly representatives from a wide variety of organizations tabled and offered resources to attendees. Highlights included DePelchin Children’s Center, which, among many other things, runs a support program for fathers, and Wellness on Wheels, which provides community building and enrichment opportunities through local bike rides. Although the event is over, the Mental Health Matters web page remains a solid resource for those seeking specialized support through its list of vendors.
From expert-led lectures to interactive presentations, the conference portion of Mental Health Matters created space for frank conversations about the realities of living in the modern world and showcased an array of practices that can bolster a person’s mental health. The keynote speaker, Mark Berg, regaled attendees with an engaging lecture that traced the arc of his career in mental health, which involves a staggering variety of clients, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Blending personal stories with practical guidance, he offered counselors thoughtful advice on navigating the profession with empathy, resilience, and purpose.
On the final day of the event, members of the UHD community had the option of attending two concentrated workshops: one on the QPR Method to learn how to identify and address signs someone may be dealing with suicidal thoughts and one on accessing and directing others to campus resources. Members of the Counseling department were present throughout the sessions to offer support, facilitate discussion, and answer questions.
Throughout the entire Mental Health Matters Event, one message resonated above all: meaningful change happens when people come together with intention and empathy.