蜜柚视频

Group of people in auditorium interacting
October 10, 2025
8 a.m. 鈥 3:15 p.m. | $35
ON-SITE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE

蜜柚视频 Southern Community Mental Health Awareness Conference

Serving the Tri-State Region

The last few years have been incredibly challenging times for communities with far reaching mental health and wellness implications for students, educators, and communities. The second annual OHIO Southern Community Mental Health Awareness Conference will address such implications interactively through a focus on topics directly related to understanding behavioral and mental health concerns, with an emphasis on community.

Those attending the conference will also be provided with information on local and state mental health resources, as well as resources for continued learning opportunities. This conference aims to initiate a wider conversation about mental and behavioral health in our communities. 

Join us to improve understanding about current local and national trends in mental health, examine strategies for promoting positive mental health and collaborate and create change in our community!

Ohio attendees will have access to Continuing Education Units courtesy of the Lawrence County Educational Service Center
West Virginia attendees can apply for social work credit through CE Broker-Category 2: Provider number 490000 or counselor credit using the
Kentucky attendees can apply for credit through the

 

Breakout Session 1 | 9:15 鈥 10:15 a.m.

NeuroSpice: Navigating Interview & Networking with Neurodivergent Strengths

This session is designed for neurodivergent students and community members who are preparing for employment or career advancement. The workshop provides practical information, resources and tools for interview preparation and strengths-based networking, while honoring participants' unique communication styles and sensory needs. Participation in activities is completely optional. The session fosters a flexible, inclusive environment where attendees can engage in a way that feels comfortable to them.

Presenter: Laura Holbrook, Career Development Coordinator, OHIO Southern

Unlocking the Joy: Dopamine Release and the Power of Music

Music doesn't just move us emotionally 鈥 it rewires our brains. In this interactive session, we'll explore the fascinating neuroscience behind why music can make us feel euphoric, energized or deeply connected. Discover how your brain's reward system responds to rhythm, melody and harmony by releasing dopamine 鈥 the "feel-good" neurotransmitter that fuels motivation and joy. We'll unpack real-world research, share powerful listening strategies and even experience mini-musical moments that spark measurable shifts in mood. Whether you're a performer, listener or simply someone who loves a good beat, you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how music can be intentionally used to enhance well-being, boost creativity and bring more joy into every day life.

Presenter: Dr. Joy Shytle, Associate Professor of Instruction of Social Work, OHIO Southern

ACEs/PACEs: Leveraging Experience for Resiliency

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). This presentation provides an overview of the impact of ACEs on health outcomes for youth and adults, but also includes education about the Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) study, which helps to reduce the impact of ACEs in young people. The objectives of this presentation are: 
鈥    To define ACEs/PCEs
鈥    Examine the impact of these types of experiences on student health outcomes
鈥    Discuss the role of PCEs in mitigating the effects of ACEs.

Many youth-serving organizations are beginning to provide education related to the ACEs study as a way to develop empathy and further understanding for young people.

Presenter: Meagan Joseph, OCPC, Program Manager, Impact Prevention

Breakout Session 2 | 11:45 a.m. 鈥 12:45 p.m.

Comprehensive Consent: Utilizing Principles of Consent to Cultivate Healthier Interpersonal Relationships

In this session, participants will be engaged in exploring the foundational definitions of consent. Through interactive exercise and discussion, we will explore strategies for applying our understanding of consent to all aspects of our lives鈥搃ncluding the full gamut of our professional, romantic, platonic and familial relationships鈥搒o that we may move forward in navigating our world with the skills to 1) identify unhealthy characteristics of a relationship and 2) develop strategies for implementing effective personal boundaries.

Presenter: Megan Rookard, Director, Pathways Porchlight: Sexual Assault Resource Center

Monsters, Mystery, and Mental Resilience: Integrating Horror, True Crime, and Mystery Fiction to Support Student Well-Being

This interactive workshop invites higher education faculty and adult educators to explore how horror, true crime, and mystery fiction can become powerful tools for supporting student mental health across disciplines. Reading for pleasure is known to reduce stress: even six minutes of reading can lower stress levels by up to 68%, more than activities like walking or listening to music. Beyond general stress relief, these popular genres offer unique benefits: horror provides a safe space to confront fear and practice emotion regulation, true crime allows vicarious exploration of danger and empathy for victims in a controlled environment, and mystery fiction engages critical thinking while offering the comforting structure of problem-solving and resolution. By harnessing students鈥 natural engagement with thrilling stories, educators can foster emotional resilience, empathy, and a sense of community in the classroom. 

In this session, participants will learn how 鈥渟cary鈥 stories can have therapeutic impacts and how to integrate them into any curriculum in a trauma-informed manner. We will review supporting research and share case studies from educational settings. Such examples illustrate how guided use of these genres can help students safely process difficult emotions and connect with others. This workshop will equip attendees with the understanding and practical strategies to adapt these approaches to their own teaching contexts. By the end, participants will be prepared to embrace 鈥渇earful fiction鈥 as an unexpectedly effective ally in fostering student well-being and emotional growth.

Presenter: Eric Brown, Instructor, Composition and Literature, Shawnee State University

Presenters

Founder & CEO of Center for Trait-Based Transformation
Dr. Jason Roop

Dr. Jason Roop is the founder and CEO of the Center for Trait-Based Transformation and the creator of the nationally recognized Trait-Based Models of Recovery and Prevention. Drawing from his personal journey of overcoming 17 years of addiction, along with rigorous research and professional expertise, Dr. Roop has dedicated his career to reshaping addiction recovery through strength-focused, evidence-based methodologies. His innovative models have been adopted by treatment centers, schools, and communities nationwide, significantly impacting mental health outcomes and long-term recovery.

An award-winning leader in the behavioral health field, Dr. Roop received the prestigious 2024 Burns Brady Innovator of the Year Award (awarded by YPR Louisville) for his transformative contributions. He serves on the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission, guiding strategic distribution of funds for statewide prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Roop has presented at major national conferences and symposia. He is also a published researcher with multiple peer-reviewed articles highlighting the role of inherent strengths and leadership traits in addiction recovery and personal transformation.

Dr. Roop holds a Ph.D. in Business Management and a Master of Theology, continually advocating for a strength-based approach that empowers individuals and transforms communities.

3rd grade teacher at Ohio Avenue
Lindsay Rice, MST

Lindsay Rice is an experienced educator, speaker, and advocate who brings over a decade of classroom experience and a lifetime of lived expertise as a neurodivergent individual to her work. As a teacher, parent, and lifelong learner, Lindsay bridges the gap between neuroscience and real-world practice, offering educators transformative strategies to support and empower neurodiverse learners.

With a background in Speech and Hearing Science and a Master鈥檚 in Childhood Education, Lindsay specializes in brain-based instructional practices, including stress cycle awareness, executive functioning support, and brain priming activities that help students access learning with confidence. Her engaging, accessible approach makes complex concepts like cognitive load, masking, rejection sensitivity, and dopamine regulation understandable鈥攁nd immediately applicable鈥攊n any classroom setting.

Lindsay is passionate about shifting the narrative from deficit-based models to strength-based support. She believes the most effective training for supporting neurodivergent students should center the voices and experiences of neurodivergent educators themselves. Through her work, she empowers teachers to move beyond labels and see the extraordinary potential in every learner.

Whether she鈥檚 speaking at national conferences, facilitating educator workshops, or mentoring rising teachers, Lindsay鈥檚 mission is clear: create classrooms where all brains are welcomed, understood, and set up to thrive.

Coordinator and Advocate, Pathways Porchlight
Megan Rookard

Megan Rookard is the Director for Pathways Porchlight | Sexual Assault Resource Center, a state-designated Rape Crisis Center serving ten counties in Eastern Kentucky; she has worked for Porchlight | SARC for five years. Megan has an Associate鈥檚 degree in Human Services Technology and a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Studio Art from 蜜柚视频. Megan is deeply committed to creating spaces for productive dialogues around sexual violence, violence prevention, and anti-oppression. In her free time, Megan enjoys napping, telling terrible dad jokes, and spending time with her partner, daughter, and menagerie of animals.

Career Development Coordinator, OHIO Southern
Laura Holbrook

Laura Holbrook is a proud OHIO Southern alumna, educator, lifelong learner, and devoted boy mom. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Media and an Associate of Arts in Social Science, a Bachelor of Arts in History from 蜜柚视频 Southern, and a Master of Arts in History from Marshall University. This fall, she began pursuing her PhD in Higher Education at 蜜柚视频鈥檚 Patton College of Education.

With more than seven years of experience in adult education, Laura has worked in diverse settings, from GED instruction at a community-based correctional facility to leading specialized workforce programs. In her current role as Career Development Coordinator at 蜜柚视频 Southern, she oversees multiple Integrated Education and Training programs through Scioto County Aspire, including Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant and Registered Behavior Technician training.

Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Laura is deeply committed to advocating for and supporting neurodiverse learners. She strives to create inclusive, adaptive learning environments that meet individuals where they are, helping them build both confidence and the skills they need to succeed in education and the workforce.

Associate Professor of Instruction, Social Work, OHIO Southern
Dr. Joy Shytle

Dr. Joy Shytle is an associate professor of instruction of Social Work at 蜜柚视频 Southern. She brings a unique academic foundation that bridges psychobiology and clinical social work, allowing her to explore the intersection of brain science, behavior, and human connection. At OHIO Southern, Shytle advises the Student Social Work Association and directs the Social Work Learning Lab, an innovative space that blends technology, hands-on practice, and community engagement to prepare students for the field. Her research and teaching often focus on practical, evidence-based strategies for improving mental health and well-being. In her presentation, 鈥淯nlocking the Joy: Dopamine Release and the Power of Music,鈥 Shytle draws on neuroscience and real-world applications to show how rhythm, melody, and harmony can be intentionally harnessed to elevate mood, enhance creativity, and foster connection.

Instructor, Composition and Literature, Shawnee State University
Eric Brown

Eric Brown is an instructor of English composition and literature at Shawnee State University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Master of Arts in English Literature. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy and English Literature. Eric specializes in accessible, story-driven teaching strategies and is passionate about the intersection of mental health, narrative, and classroom engagement. His work frequently explores how fiction, particularly horror, mystery, and true crime, can be used to foster resilience, empathy, and emotional growth in students.

Program Manager, Impact Prevention
Meagan Joseph, OCPC

Meagan Joseph works for Impact Prevention in Ironton, Ohio where she serves as program manager and an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. She is also a proud graduate of 蜜柚视频鈥檚 Executive Master of Public Administration program. While she began her career as a high school Japanese language teacher, her heart led her to the field of prevention in 2019.

Conference Agenda
TimeSessionLocation
8 鈥 9 a.m.Registration, Networking, Tabling, Continental BreakfastRiffe Rotunda
9 鈥 9:15 a.m.Welcome & RemarksRiffe Rotunda
9:15 鈥 10:15 a.m.Breakout Session ITBD
10:15 鈥 10:30 a.m.Break 
10:30 鈥 11:30 a.m.Empowering Neurodivergent Learners
Presenter: Lindsay Rice
Bowman Auditorium
11:30 鈥11:45 a.m.Break 
11:45 a.m. 鈥 12:45 p.m.Breakout Session IITBD
12:45 鈥 2 p.m.Luncheon
Start from Strength: Empowering Sustainable Recovery through Trait-Based Transformation
Presenter: Dr. Jason Roop
Riffe Rotunda
2 鈥 2:15 p.m.Break 
2:15 鈥 3:15 p.m.Fireside Chat with Lindsay RiceBowman Auditorium
3:15 p.m.Door Prizes, Remarks, AdjournBowman Auditorium

Contact us for more information!