Grab Your Spot Now! FREE Mental Health Event For Rural PA Families
Are you ready to learn valuable information that will impact your life and/or your children’s? Join us at the Together We Thrive conference on September 13, 2023, at the Ramada Inn in State College!
This free mental health event is a rare opportunity for young adults living with mental health challenges and their parents living in rural Pennsylvania to access valuable resources and information without having to travel to big cities. With engaging speakers, interactive sessions, and a chance to connect with young adults and parents managing the same challenges, this conference promises to be an empowering and enlightening experience.
On September 13th, BHARP, Youth Move PA, and the Parent Alliance are taking over the Ramada Inn in State College for Together We Thrive: Empowering Young Adults and Families Conference. From 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, we'll be diving into all thing’s family, mental health, and self-care, at NO COST to the family.
If you live in one of the Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania (BHARP) 24 counties, and you have a child who struggles with their mental health, you are in luck – this conference is for you!
Not sure if your county is a part of BHARP? Check here now!
Check out some of our most asked questions about the conference!
1. Who is the conference for?
The "Together We Thrive: Empowering Young Adults and Families Conference" is specifically designed for parents, caregivers, and youth aged 14 to 29 who live in the BHARP counties. Yes - that's right! It's not just an event for parents who are raising children who struggle with their mental health, but for their children (aged 14-29) also. The conference will feature events for you, your child, and you and your child together to get on the same page about how to best prioritize their mental health.
It's a fantastic opportunity for families seeking valuable resources and support in navigating mental health challenges and overall well-being in historically underserved areas of the state.
2. What if I don’t live in a BHARP county?
While we do prioritize families from those areas, we're still open to considering applications from other counties. So, don't hesitate to apply, and if there's space available, we'd love to have you on board! Just send in your application, and we'll be sure to get back to you soon.
3. I am a mental health provider – can I attend the conference to learn about the challenges families are facing?
While our priority is to support parents and youth, we're also open to accepting providers who are eager to learn about the challenges parents are facing. So, if you're interested, don't hesitate to apply! If there's available space, we'd love to have you join us in making a positive impact. Just send in your application, and we'll be sure to get back to you soon. Looking forward to hearing from you!
4. Can I still go even if my child does not attend with me?
Absolutely! If your child is under the age of 14 or is not available or interested in going you are still more than welcome to attend! You will learn valuable tips and tools to take home with you that you can immediately put into practice to prioritize your child’s mental health.
5. Will I be with my child all day?
No. There will be options for both parents and for youth to do activities on their own, and then also activities for them to do together. Some of the events will be focused on how you can help support your child, while others will be focused on how your child can prioritize their mental health and talk to you about it if they are struggling.
6. State college is far from me – should I still attend?
Pennsylvania is a big state and many of the families who are attending the conference have a long way to drive. Limited scholarships are available covering overnight accommodations for attendees traveling over 50 miles to stay at the Ramada the night before the conference (September 12th).
If you receive a scholarship, check in at the Ramada is at 4 PM and check out is at 10 am on the day of the conference. The front desk can hold your luggage during the conference.
7. What about food?
Included with your registration will be a morning snack, a buffet lunch, and an afternoon snack. Dietary needs will be accommodated.
8. What kind of additional information can I leave with?
Providers from rural counties in PA will be featured at a resource fair where you’ll be able to meet with them and learn about their services.
Different tables will host various topics, allowing you to engage in discussions that resonate with you. We're collaborating with resource tables from different organizations, ensuring you have access to valuable information and support.
9. What kinds of topics will be covered?
At the "Together We Thrive: Empowering Young Adults and Families Conference," we've got an incredible lineup of topics that cater to the diverse needs of families. We'll delve into crucial subjects like mental health challenges faced by youth, health and nutrition, supporting LGBTQ+ children, and effective communication between parents and their children. Additionally, we'll explore the importance of self-care as a family unit, strategies to deal with transition challenges, and much more!
Our goal is to provide practical tools and valuable insights that families can take home and implement immediately. You won't want to miss out on these empowering discussions and workshops!
10. What can Families Expect at the Conference?
Get ready to have insightful conversations and build a strong community with other families, creating a support network like never before. Take home valuable tools and ideas for self-care as a family, especially during those times when you're waiting for services and support.
When speaking with Denise Rupert, Parent Alliance Lead Family Contact and Conference Planning Committee Chair, she mentioned that they are trying to create exactly what Denise had always been looking for.
"I am just SO excited! This is something I prayed for when I was struggling. When I was struggling with my own kids, if this had been there, I would have signed up so fast. The ability to have that and provide that conference for parents to know they aren't alone. It is just so isolating so for them to know they aren't alone is so valuable. Especially in rural communities.
We interviewed various parents and youth, and we are trying to hit topics that aren't always talked about. We're not coming from a clinical standpoint, very intentionally. We are more focused on giving families tools to take home. We want to give families ideas and tools that they can go home and immediately put into action with their own family. Everything is focused on having those impactful takeaways for families."
11. What are the Registration and Details?
The conference is on September 13th at the Ramada Inn in State College from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Hotel rooms are available for families traveling from afar but are limited.
Click here to register for the conference!
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together as a family. Let's make the "Together We Thrive: Empowering Young Adults and Families Conference" an unforgettable experience that strengthens our community and brings us all closer together!
This project was developed under grant number SM82194 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS.