Summer Symposium 2021

8:00 AM 

8:15 AM

Many communities have accepted the idea that mental illnesses are health problems that require treatment. But in many minority communities, there is a serious stigma that implies a mental health problem is a sign of weakness and should be hidden from others. There are many cultural factors, societal pressures, and stereotypes that may influence beliefs about mental health in minority communities. Mental illness and treatment are often not normalized the way that it should be in minority communities. Additionally, issues like systemic racism and lack of culturally sensitive treatment by providers may also play a role in the way minority communities view mental illness. We will delve into specific stigmas, how they impact our minority communities, and the spiraling effect of undiagnosed mental illnesses. 

9:15 AM 

In our role as professional nurses, we strive to be able to demonstrate our competencies in various settings. However, as much as we attempt to be culturally competent with our engagements with multiple populations, are we truly competent in what we know about the individual? Should we label and group people based on the color of their skin, their religion, and their backgrounds? Let us look and define what it is to practice cultural humility.

10:15 AM

This presentation will explore CBD from a scientific application. It will include pertinent neurobiological signaling pathways of CBD as well as analyzing and comparing research studies on it as an anxiolytic and as an antidepressant. In addition, a focus will include clinical applications and product regulation. Attendees will learn how to identify quality products.

11:15 AM

This presentation will explore faith. How it contributes to effective care of those whom you serve. What is your Faith? How does it promote your skill in caring for others? Does in impede? Does it contradict what you are trying to accomplish with your patients? Are you uncomfortable serving others in this capacity? Do you feel trapped? What bias prevents you from effectively serving others?  

12:15 PM

Commissioner Boswell will explore current issues the Department of Mental Health is facing and how they are responding.

BIPOC Toolkit: https://mhanational.org/BIPOC-mental-health-month 

Ethnic-Sensitive Inventory: http://www.eastpointe.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Ethnic-Sensitivity-Inventory.pdf 

Multiculturally Competent Service System Assessment Guide: http://www.eastpointe.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Multiculturally-Competent-Service-System-Assessment-Guide.pdf 

Self-Assessment Checklist for Personnel Providing Services and Supports to Children and Youth With Special Health Needs and Their Families: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK248429/bin/appc-fm1.pdf 

Agency Cultural Competence Checklist—Revised Form: http://www.eastpointe.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Agency-Cultural-Competence-Checklist.pdf 

CBD Visual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IjwQkxR9o 

Alabama Department of Mental Health: https://mh.alabama.gov/

COVID-19 Crisis Information Line: https://mha-montgomery.org/coronavirus-resources 

Alabama Families: https://alabamafamilycentral.org/

***Commissioner Boswell has print materials available for the COVID-19 Crisis Information Line and Alabama Families. If you are interested in them, please contact us and we can see about giving you some. She will be sending us some for distribution. 

Erica D. Barnett is currently the Residential Director for Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority. Erica is responsible for overseeing and managing staff and mental health consumers who are in group homes and independent living apartments. She has a wide range of experience ranging from mental health therapist, case manager, activity specialist, and director of Day Treatment. She graduated with a Master of Science in Agency Counseling from Alabama State University. Erica has a passion for helping individuals living with mental illness to live the most productive and viable lives possible. Erica is inspired daily by her three amazing children to embrace and appreciate everyone’s differences while encouraging others to be the best version of themselves.

Amy Morris has been a registered nurse at Warhawk Health Services in Auburn University at Montgomery for the past 20 years. She has a BA in History from University of Tennessee, Martin Campus, a BSN from University of Alabama in Birmingham, and MPA from Auburn University at Montgomery. Amy is certified as a college health professional and has a certificate in travel medicine. Her areas of interest are in immunizations and infectious diseases. She has worked with Alabama State Nurses Association as a reviewer on continuing education for years and is currently employed as the Continuing Education Coordinator.

Emily Hare, ND is a 2012 graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor (WA) and Assistant Professor at Huntingdon College. She teaches undergraduate, upper-level courses for pre-health professions students.  Her therapeutic modalities include clinical nutrition, microbiome development, and supplement and herbal therapies. She specializes in stress reduction and women’s hormonal health.   

Stephen McWhorter is an Episcopal Priest who has served for over 53 years.  He was educated at West Virginia University and The Episcopal Theological School at Harvard University. He completed his doctorate in clinical psychology from The University of Southampton in 1984. He served as a college chaplain, parish priest and now as a supply priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Stephen is also on the adjunct faculty of the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham where he is a member of a team teaching Medical Ethics to mostly third year medical students. His interests are in hospice care and end of life care.  

Kimberly Boswell was sworn as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health on December 16, 2020. Governor Kay Ivey said of Commissioner Boswell, “She has spent the entirety of her professional career devoted to helping struggling individuals and I appreciate her willingness to serve in this new capacity. Her background as a mental health provider as well as administrator makes her uniquely qualified.” Boswell’s goals include furthering an accessible, interconnected, effective and just system of care for individuals served by the Department of Mental Health.

Boswell has more than 36 years of experience working with individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities.  Boswell previously served as Chief of Staff, Associate Commissioner for Administration and Director of Human Resources for the Department.  Over the course of her career, she worked as a planner to improve human service delivery systems, a program evaluator, a School to Work transition coordinator, and also served as the state office administrator for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. She earned her Master of Social Work from the Florida State University College of Social Work in 1984, with a specialization in planning and program evaluation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Since November 2019, Commissioner Boswell has served as a member of the Milbank Memorial Fund Reforming States Group. She is currently a member of the National Academy for State Health Policy and the Long Term and Chronic Care Committee. Commissioner Boswell is a member of the Friendship Mission Board - a long-term shelter for men, women and children who are homeless in the River Region, and Mescal’s Children Center for Hope, which is a Christian ministry serving children in Kenya.