Mental health forum set for Dec. 9
Event will focus on cutting out stressors
Milwaukee is the nation’s third most impoverished big city, and researchers have concluded that the the seeds of trauma were planted decades ago, when many of today’s adults were children.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will explore mental health issues in Milwaukee in a community discussion and workshop Dec. 9 at Aurora Sinai Medical Center.
The event will focus on different stressors in our community and how to cope with them. Panelists will also discuss Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) studies, and participants will be able to take the ACE test to see how one’s childhood experiences play a role in their mental state today.
The event is part of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s 50-Year Ache project, supported by Aurora Health Care. The project examines how far we have come since the open housing marches of 1967 on a variety of issues.
The event is being held in conjunction with Table of the Saints, which serves nonviolent, ex-offenders by providing mentoring skills, social services and a sober living residence.
The event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m., will be at Aurora’s Rapkin Auditorium, 945 N. 12th St.
To register, go to jsonline.com/50yearevent.
Journal Sentinel columnist and special projects reporter James E. Causey will moderate the event. Other participants include:
• Alfonzo Watkins, a psychotherapist and founder of the Wake-Up Program, which provides mental health treatment for individuals, families and groups.
• Clem Richardson, a mental health and substance abuse therapist. Richardson is the Founder of Manna Behavioral Services, which provides workshops, group facilitation and prevention education for Milwaukee Public Schools and alternative schools.
• Kenneth Ginlack, a mental health and substance abuse therapist. Ginlack has worked with the corrections population, medically monitored programs and youth.
• Patricia McManus, president of the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin Inc. The group works to improve the health of African-Americans and to ensure equitable health care for all.