Sen. Ratti, Sheriff Balaam among those scheduled to speak at Behavioral Health Forum

Residents encouraged to attend Oct. 2 event

Sept. 27, 2019. Reno, Nev. – The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) and its partner Truckee Meadows Health Communities (TMHC) are inviting the public to join the More Powerful Together – Behavioral Health Forum, on Oct. 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at the Washoe County Commission Chambers. The event is hosted by TMHC's Behavioral Health Council in partnership with Renown Health and WCHD.

The second of two 2019 events aims to tackle our region’s behavioral health crisis by hearing from experts in the field as well as those affected in the community, both young and older. Nevada’s suicide rate for those over 65 is two times the national average, and four times the average for those over 85.

“We encourage the public to attend this very important forum,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick, who also is President of the TMHC Board of Directors. “The Health District and TMHC conducted a health needs assessment recently, and behavioral health was one of the biggest issues identified by the community. We need the public’s input on this topic and we have a list of expert speakers scheduled to provide a much-needed conversation.”

Among the speakers are:

• Nevada Senator Julia Ratti
• Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam
• Dr. Kristen Davis-Coelho, Northern Nevada Hopes, Chief Behavioral Health Officer
• Amber Howell, Director, Washoe County Human Services
• Kristen McNeill, Interim Superintendent, Washoe County School District & TMHC Board Member
• Kindle Craig, Senior Director, Renown Institutes & TMHC Board Vice Chair

The goal of the forum is to discuss and learn why we’re in a behavioral health crisis, what’s being done right now in our community and how together we can help tackle this crisis.

Who: Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, in partnership with the Washoe County Health District, Renown Health and the TMHC Behavioral Health Council

What: More Powerful Together – Behavioral Health Forum

When: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. Doors open at 8 a.m.; program goes from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

Where: Washoe County Commission Chambers, 1001 E. Ninth St., Building A, Reno

Why: The public’s input on how to solve the behavioral health crisis is paramount, and dialogue between citizens and experts in our community is one step forward in addressing the issue.

RSVP: Sharon Zadra at szadra@sbcglobal.net.

The Washoe County Health District has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. To learn more, visit our website.

Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities is a collaborative of thought leaders and influencers who seek to make an impact on the health of their community. The collaborative seeks to build a model where all community members strive toward a culture of health in the Truckee Meadows. This model will include the intersection of the health, education and community development sectors in our region. Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities seeks to create a healthier community through a collective impact project. More info can be found here.