Sullivan 180 Staff and Healthier Generation Advisors Attend National Conferences
Topics covered included school and mental health
[LIBERTY, NY] Sullivan 180 Healthier Generation (HG) Advisors and staff from the Empowering a Healthier Generation, Prevention, and Mental Health Programs attended national conferences in October to immerse in a variety of topics that support prevention, the health of our youth in schools and in their communities.
HG Advisors from Rockland Elementary and Sullivan West Elementary joined members of the Sullivan 180 team at the 99th Annual American School Health Association (ASHA) Conference in Denver, CO, from October 15-17. The conference brought together a diverse community of school health-related professionals in a collaborative space. Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, Sullivan 180 Director of Health & Wellness, presented, The Empowering a Healthier Generation Program: A Proven Model for Strengthening School Wellness Policies & Building Community Partnerships, to representatives from school communities throughout the country.
ASHA supports school health issues that align with its mission statement: to transform all schools into places where every student learns and thrives. They support student-centered, integrated and collaborative approaches that address the needs of the whole child and follow the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. The Sullivan 180 team and Healthier Generation Advisors look forward to sharing new resources, tools, and insights gained at the conference with Sullivan County schools to further strengthen health and wellness initiatives across the county.
“It was incredibly rewarding to share a model for school health and wellness that was created and refined right here in Sullivan County, New York,” said Meaghan Mullally-Gorr. “Participants were genuinely receptive and inspired by the incredible work happening in our local school districts. It’s a privilege to highlight the dedication of our schools and community partners who continue to make health and wellness a priority for every student.”
Mylene Ortiz, Mental Health Program Manager at Sullivan 180, attended the Mental Health America (MHA) Conference in Washington, DC from October 16-18.
MHA is a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental wellness, preventing mental illness, and advocating for equitable access to mental health care. The annual conference brings together professionals, educators, and advocates from across the country to share innovative approaches to improving mental health in schools and communities.
"Attending the Mental Health America Conference was an inspiring experience that offered the opportunity to learn directly from youth who are advocating for mental health in their schools and communities," said Mylene Ortiz. "Hearing their voices and experiences firsthand reinforced the importance of empowering young people and will help strengthen our efforts in Sullivan County schools through initiatives like Hope Squad and SHAPE."