By Myra McNair, LMFT | Photo by Hillary Schave
In 2019, I laid out a vision for Anesis Therapy, the mental health care practice I founded, that encompassed three pivotal goals for our clinic’s evolution. One of those goals was to pioneer an educational conference at the intersection of culture, race and mental health — a platform where mental health professionals could convene to explore, learn and collaborate. This year, I’m thrilled to see that vision come to life as we prepare to launch the inaugural Multicultural Mental Health Conference in Madison.
The seeds of this conference were watered when I attended a mental health conference in 2023 in Uganda. Surrounded by professionals from diverse East African countries, I was struck by the universal challenges we face in this field — human trafficking, maintaining the integrity of face-to-face parenting practices, integrating spirituality into mental health care and honoring cultural rituals within treatment. Witnessing the endurance and resilience of colleagues working with fewer resources spurred me to bring a similar ethos stateside.
The Multicultural Mental Health Conference is a celebration of cultural healing practices drawn from Black, Latinx, Asian and Indigenous communities. We’re shifting the focus from dissecting issues to spotlighting solutions and best practices. From local initiatives to nationwide policy reforms, attendees will gain insights into building inclusive practices, enhancing cultural competence and addressing systemic barriers.
Beyond the sessions, we’re hosting mixers and networking events to cultivate a sense of community among mental health professionals. These gatherings will provide an opportunity for attendees to share insights, collaborate on ideas and strengthen professional bonds in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
So, why now? Because the time is ripe for meaningful dialogue, collaboration and action. Because our community deserves innovative approaches to mental health care that honor diverse perspectives. Because together, we can drive positive change in the field.
Mental health and medical professionals, community health workers and teachers are invited to join us for the Multicultural Mental Health Conference on Aug. 22. You can register at anesistherapycenter.com/conf24.
Let’s reshape the future of mental health care, together.
