Day of Self Discovery
2010 Day of Self Discovery Conference
May 19, 2010
Conference Theme: “Recovery: Journey of Infinite Possibilities”
Keynote speaker, Patricia Deegan will join other speakers as they trace the transformation of Recovery through Pennsylvania and Allegheny County.
Topics for conference workshops will range from mental health advance directives and self-defense to creating a craft project and music therapy.
Several social services and support agencies, and consumer advocacy organizations will be available to offer consumers information and assistance.
Advanced written registration is required.
(NO telephone registrations accepted.) Only registrants that exceed conference capacity will be notified in writing or by phone.
Joyce King "Every Day People" Achievement Award nomination form
Due April 19, 2010
About the Day of Self Discovery Conference
Begun in 2001, the Day of Self Discovery Conference is an annual event that brings together individuals in Allegheny County who are personally involved in the process of Recovery. Persons who live with mental health concerns or substance use disorders, along with their family members and other supportive stakeholders gather to share about their Recovery experiences in varied and creative ways.
Each year a theme is chosen, and activities and speakers are selected to support that theme. The conference consists of workshops, entertainment, and mealtime conversations. Subjects of workshops cross a full range of recovery-related topics.
Since 2002, the Joyce King “Every Day People” achievement award has recognized individuals who made significant contributions to promote advocacy and recovery for individuals with a mental health diagnosis or disorders related to the use of alcohol and other substances. Nominations for the award are taken from the community.
Joyce King was a pioneer and leader in the Self-Help Consumer/Survivor movement. She believed strongly that recipients of behavioral health services should be involved in all aspects of the system and that their voices must be heard. Joyce King’s achievements were many, including empowering others to self-advocate, dispelling myths and stereotypes about individuals with mental illness, promoting recovery and educating professionals about mental health/illness. One of Joyce King’s most powerful testimonies was “I have a condition, but I am not the condition. And I refuse to let anyone equate my illness with my intelligence.”
Sponsored by the Allegheny County DHS Office of Behavioral Health, Community Care Behavioral Health, and Mercy Behavioral Health, the conference is free to Allegheny County HealthChoices members and stakeholders.
The conference planner is the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) Office of Education and Regional Programming.