Stigma and bias are rooted in societal norms and attitudes that frequently are communicated on a personal level. Recognizing that effective healthcare often relies on our personal relationship with our patients and clients, acknowledging and correcting stigma is an essential step in supporting the growth and health of not only those patients and clients but also ourselves. This session will examine the history of attitudes toward substance use, misuse, and abuse in the U.S., will examine societal norms that allow bias and stigma to become embedded in the healthcare system, and will discuss how caring clinicians can examine and correct their own behaviors and communication styles in ways that will promote positive outcomes for our patients and clients.

Session Objectives:

1. Describe common healthy lifestyle behavior problems among youth.
2. Identify why healthy lifestyle behaviors are critical for youth mental and physical wellbeing, performance and happiness.
3. Describe how healthy lifestyles protect against alcohol and drug use and how substance use harms developing and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors.
4. List 4 strategies for increasing healthy lifestyle behaviors among youth.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to help make our communities safer and healthier by providing safe and convenient means of properly disposing of unneeded prescription medications.

National Alcohol Screening Day aims to raise awareness about alcohol-related harms and connect individuals at risk with treatment options.

World Autism Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to promote understanding, inclusion, acceptance, and support for families and individuals on the autism spectrum.

Fentanyl use during pregnancy places the prenatally exposed child not only at high risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in infancy but increasing neurodevelopmental challenges as the child grows and develops. However, given the highly addictive nature of fentanyl and its impact on the physiologic functioning of the brain of the adult with fentanyl use disorder, communicating this risk is frequently very difficult. This session will present the effects of fentanyl use on the adult brain, discuss the impact of prenatal fentanyl exposure on the exposed child, and provide a conceptual framework for communicating with an adult with a substance use disorder.

Communities across the country will participate in the National Day of Racial Healing. It’s a special day to acknowledge the values we share, build common ground and inspire collective action that furthers #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism.

Dr. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.

With the legalization of recreational use of marijuana, rates of use during pregnancy have steadily increased. At the same time, public health messages have failed to communicate the possible negative effects of marijuana on pregnancy and child outcome. This session will describe the action of marijuana on the developing fetal brain, its impact on maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and implications of prenatal marijuana exposure on the child’s neurodevelopment. This information can be used to create strategies for prevention.

According to the State of California Department of Justice, Attorney General’s website: “Human trafficking is among the world's fastest growing criminal enterprises and is estimated to be a $150 billion-a-year global industry. It is a form of modern-day slavery that profits from the exploitation of our most vulnerable populations. One common misperception is that human trafficking requires movement across borders.

This is a conference you do not want to miss!  Come one come all! Calling all fathers!! 

A history of personal or intergenerational trauma, beyond its impact on health and mental health, can impact an individual's view of the world and readiness to parent. This session will present a framework for understanding the impact of a pregnant or parenting woman’s personal history on her ability to accept health information and advice and how clinicians can use the information as a basis for developing and providing gender-specific treatment and care.

During the month of September, National Recovery Month aims to increase awareness and educate people about how substance use and mental health services can help people and their families live healthy and rewarding lives. With the right treatment, support, and resources, recovery is possible for everyone.