What is the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series?
The Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) are pleased to announce the Dual Diagnosis Professional Conference Series, which offers presentations focused on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and mental health needs. The selected presenters share their expertise on best and promising practices as well as provide general knowledge. Session topics, which focus on increasing capacity to serve individuals with dual diagnosis in the community, are chosen based on identified needs and with input from the field of professional stakeholders.
Session Description: It is vital to put a first-person narrative of living life with mental illness in the forefront of professionals’ minds in order to promote and practice person-centered and trauma-informed care.
Presenter is Russell Lehmann: Named the 2022 Advocate of the Year by the Autism Society of America, Russell showed signs of autism as a newborn, however, he was not formally diagnosed until the age of 12 after suffering through 5 weeks in a lockdown psychiatric facility. He subsequently withdrew from the world due to being hurt and misunderstood, resulting in prevalent isolation for the next 15+ years. He currently travels the world spreading hope, awareness, and compassion in a raw and dynamic fashion, while also setting his sights on erasing the stigmas and stereotypes that come with having a disability. Russell’s passion is to be a voice for the unheard, for he knows how difficult and frustrating it is to go unnoticed.
For more information on Russell, view his Ted Talk.
