Fairfax County Public Schools to Host Mental Health and Wellness Conference

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- A focus on student mental health, supported by 50 diverse breakout sessions and a keynote address by the director of education at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will be presented by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) at this year’s Mental Health and Wellness Conference on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Fairfax High School, FCPS announced Monday.

Teens, parents, coaches, educators, mental health providers, and individuals connected with organizations that work with teens are welcome to participate in the conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Online registration is available.

Dena Simmons, Ed.D., director of education at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will deliver the keynote address, building on her experience as an educator, teacher educator, diversity facilitator, and curriculum developer. Her research interests include teacher preparedness to address bullying in the K-12 setting and social and emotional learning interventions. She has written and spoken about social justice pedagogy, diversity, education reform, emotional intelligence, and bullying in K-12 settings.

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., director of health for Fairfax County, will be a featured speaker on community health and resiliency.

Breakout sessions will be presented by FCPS staff members as well as employees of Fairfax County Government and community agencies, Loudoun County Public Schools, and local mental health providers.

Included will be sessions on resiliency, brain-based disorders, parenting, expressing and managing stress, executive functioning, and recognizing and managing depression and anxiety.

More information is available online.

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