(Acworth, Ga. – March 6, 2015) For two years Chattahoochee Technical College Office of Service Learning has hosted an event to learn more about the effects and prevention of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. In its third year, the Chattahoochee Technical College Service Learning Conference will focus on mental health with a one day conference hosted April 23 at the North Metro Campus in Acworth.
The goal of the collaborative event is to integrate multiple disciplines and programs, by highlighting different approaches to issues facing students and the community. Speakers will provide information that will be helpful to healthcare professionals, community leaders, public safety personnel, parents and students. The focus of the conference will concentrate on medical, social and legal aspects of those coping with various mental health issues.
In previous years we have held conferences on Child Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Prevention,” said Sociology Instructor and Faculty Director of Service Learning Leigh Keever. “We wanted to develop a new conference to address current community needs in the areas our students work and live, as well as address a need for those agencies and organizations in our area who can benefit from student engagement and awareness to community issues. In addition, we want to facilitate breaking the stigma that comes with mental illness.
This multidisciplinary event offers several workshops presented by recognized experts from the field. Professionals receive practical instruction, the latest research and information, and the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills and knowledge about the issues of mental health. On hand will be various mental health representatives from Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow and Fulton counties, as well as sessions that offer POST credit to individuals working in the field of criminal justice. Notable speakers include Fulton County Chief Jailer Mark Adger, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley and Catheryn Coone-McCrary of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – In Our Own Voices.
As a part of the college’s service learning initiative, students will play a large role in the activities of the day. According to Keever, students will complete service learning projects to illustrate how they are learning about mental illness in their classes. Criminal Justice, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Sociology, English, Public Speaking, and several Nursing students will be contributing to student presentations for conference participants and mental health organizations.
More information and registration for the free event is available at www.chattahoocheetech.edu/service-learning.