More than 500 community members will gather Friday May 4, 2018 at the Cerner Innovations Campus in Kansas City to dig deep into the mental health issues Kansas City cares about most.

The Mental Health KC 2018 Conference, sponsored by the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers and Cerner Corporation, will feature nationally known keynote speaker Dr. Bruce D. Perry, the senior fellow of the Child Trauma Academy. Held in connection with national Mental Health Month in May, the full-day event will also feature 25+ presenters who champion the interests of local adults and children living with mental illness. Education sessions focus on topics that include suicide, PTSD, grief, anxiety, depression, opioid addictions, human trafficking risks, as well as a host of other topics that adversely affect mental well-being. The target audience includes Corporate Leaders, Employers, HR Specialists, Business Owners, Community Members, First-Responders, and Mental Health Advocates.

FirstStepForHelp.com, the free community service by CommCARE, is sponsoring the event’s on-site media room, hosting the event press conference, and scheduling interviews with experts across the conference for news reporters, health writers, and producers of education, business, and lifestyle segments. FirstStepForHelp.com is the free, 24-hour crisis helpline operated by Master’s-level clinicians to connect Missouri and Kansas residents with behavioral health support. FirstStepForHelp.com launches its new website May 4th.

Mental Health Kansas City 2018 Conference is the day-long community event focused on educating attendees about mental illness and mental well-being. Reservations are required. Space is limited.

The Metro Council of Community Mental Health Centers represents Kansas City’s public mental health system, which consists of seven independently operated Community Mental Health Centers across the Kansas City area. The centers annually serve more than 62,000 people who have mental health disorders. Professional services are offered for all ages and diagnoses.