MUSD to hold mental awareness conference

Madera Unified School District is partnering with Madera County Behavioral Health and Camarena Health to host the first-ever virtual Mental Health Awareness Conference and In-Person Mental Health Resource Fair.

The primary goal of the conference is to support prevention and early intervention efforts that promote mental health wellness. The conference is designed to empower parents or guardians to access the tools and resources they need to assure the well-being of their families.

The Virtual Mental Health Awareness Conference will take place live on Zoom, and on Madera Unified’s Facebook page from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday. The virtual session will include keynote speakers, workshops and raffle prizes. A link to the individual workshops will be on the Facebook Live feed.

The In-Person Resource Fair will be held at Matilda Torres High School, 16645 Road 26 from 4:30-6 p.m., also on Friday. The families will have access to community agency resources provided by local community agencies. The families will also be treated to free tacos and large raffle prizes.

“Mental Health resources are needed now more than ever to alleviate some of the profound mental health impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has left us with,” said Director of Community Services and Parent Resource Centers, Elia Medina. “Therefore, Madera Unified believes it is imperative and a shared responsibility to connect our families and students to local, accessible resources and tools to support their mental health and know-how to seek help for themselves and their loved ones. We Believe Our Families Matter.”