Conference Program:
Speaker Bios and Slideshows
“Let’s Talk About Suicide”
About Dan:
Dan Hanson is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran and social worker that works in the Veteran mental health and suicide prevention arena. Shortly after separating from the Marine Corps in 2007, Dan lost his brother to suicide. Since then, Dan has become an advocate for Veteran mental health and has spoken nationally on his lived experience. He has worked diligently, and with passion, to spread the message of hope and mental wellness through speaking engagements, training, and 1-1 work with Veterans.
“The Anxious Generation”
About Amanda:
Dr. Amanda Black is a psychiatrist practicing in Hutchinson. She received her specialty training at the University of South Dakota and is board certified by the ABPN. Amanda thrives working with individuals in the outpatient setting, emphasizing treating mental health with more than just prescriptions. Her goal is to address mental health issues from a variety of angles, helping patients to be invested and active in treatment. She believes individuals have a lot of innate power in addressing mental health difficulties, and she enjoys crafting treatment plans that harness each individual’s strengths and abilities. Amanda walks just behind patients on their path to improvement, offering honesty and support along the way.
“LivinConnected, 2BSupported, & LIVIN with Smiles”
(With Tammy Diehn and Sarah Smith)
About Kaitlin:
Kaitlin Daeges is the Executive Director of the Minnesota based mental health non-profit, LIVIN Foundation. After losing her father to suicide, Kaitlin joined the LIVIN Foundation to turn her personal tragedy into driving passion to prevent suicide.
About Sarah:
Sarah Smith is the Executive Director of Smiles for Jake, a non-profit in central Minnesota that focuses on providing education, resources and a response effort for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Sarah brings 15+ years of non-profit experience to the team and thrives on working together to make life changing impacts.
“Mindful Cooking for Physical and Mental Wellbeing”
About Jenny:
Jenny Breen has been a Chef, Public Health Nutritionist, and Educator for over 30 years. She co-owned the Good Life Cafe and Catering Company between 1996 and 2009. After receiving her Masters in Education and MPH in Nutrition, Jenny decided to address the gap in understanding the role of food in overall human and environmental health. She uses cooking, and nutrition to address the need for improved food knowledge, skills and access among individuals and families, nonprofit and for profit food and agriculture organizations, health and wellness programs and professionals, and education, justice and community programs. Jenny’s unique combination of food industry and public health training, and on the ground teaching and community based work experience, gives her a perspective and skills to help people improve their content around food and health, food systems, culinary nutrition and food justice.
“Finding the Rhythm of Your Community”
(with Nicole Konz)
About John:
John is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from Universidad de Playa Ancha in Valparaiso, Chile. He also holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Consulting from Universidad de Valencia, Spain. With over 20 years of experience as a community-based Occupational Therapist in the mental health field, specializing in diverse communities and cultures, he currently serves as a Community Impact Specialist at Woodland Centers, a mental health organization in Willmar. Internationally recognized as a lecturer on social topics related to Occupational Therapy, John has collaborated with universities in Chile, Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands. He has presented his work at three World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) conferences. John resides in Willmar, MN, where he contributes to the Human Rights Commission, the Willmar Area Arts Council, and Community Education.
John’s artistic endeavors extend to photography, where he recently curated a photo exhibition on diversity, showcased at the St. Paul Capitol building, MN. Through his photography, he aims to promote awareness and appreciation of diversity within communities. Recently awarded an artist-in-residency grant, John is launching Cimarron Batucada, a community-based drumming ensemble. This initiative seeks to engage the community through music and cultural expression, fostering social cohesion and empowerment. As the co-founder of Purpose Artisans, a non-profit organization, John leads initiatives that use the arts to address social justice issues and enhance community well-being. Purpose Artisans promotes inclusivity and a sense of purpose among all community members through creative projects. Through Purpose Artisans and his various roles, John continues to advocate for social participation and community engagement, using creative mediums to inspire positive change.
About Nicole:
Nicole Konz is an occupational therapist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field working across the spectrum of services including forensics, inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive residential, intensive outpatient, and community based. Through this experience, she has inherently discovered that people long for a sense of purpose and when they can align with that mission, it impacts their wellbeing. Along with that, it is the structures, the community, our systems that create the container for what makes people safe and satisfied with their life.
She has zoned her focus in on trauma informed care and intercultural development and expanding her view to assess and implement change on a systems level. She is currently working two positions that situate her well for that influence. Full time she serves the State of Minnesota as an Occupational Therapy Practice and Professional Development Coordinator, a role dedicated to staff training and development, student intern coordination, cross coverage of rehabilitation services, and system wide process improvement. She is also co-founder and manager director for a nonprofit organization, Purpose Artisans, community based occupational therapy providing programs, events, and training that promote social justice through the arts.
“The Mental Health Toolbox”
About Rebecca:
Rebecca Schmitz is the Executive Director of Vikingland Community Support Program. She has been working in the mental health field for 17 years. She is also the creator of “The Mental Health Toolbox,” which is officially trademarked in the United States as of January 2024. Rebecca contributes mental health articles to a blog based out of India called Healthieyoo.com, as well as the Definitive Women magazine out of Central MN. You can also see her 3 days a week sharing live videos on different mental health topics through social media platforms. Rebecca is also the Vice President of UCAN (United Communities Advocating Non-Violence) educating the community about Domestic Violence of and the importance of safety and supports for those in dangerous situations. Rebecca aspires to educate and motivate others about the importance of mental health awareness and management. With the current mental health pandemic, it’s more important than ever to equip ourselves with the tools necessary to manage our mental health and live our best life, barrier free.
“Awareness 2B CONTINUED Into Action”
About Tammy:
Tammy Diehn lives in rural Arlington with her husband Allen on their family farm, where they raised their two children, Jesse and Bethany. Both Allen and Tammy have lost a sibling to suicide. After her sister’s death in 2017, Tammy connected with other loss survivors who were also in this “club which nobody ever wishes to be a part of”. She began advocating for suicide prevention and mental health in area communities, sharing her story of loss, raising awareness, and educating others. In 2018 Tammy became a certified QPR instructor. (Question, Persuade, Refer, the mental health version of CPR). She has taught QPR to more than 1,500 professionals and community members. Tammy is also certified to teach Adult Mental Health First Aid, Changing the Narrative, SafeTalk, Talk Saves Lives™ and It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health. She is also a NAMI-MN Survivor Voices Train the Trainer. Tammy finds these efforts to be gratifying, knowing that they may help others in addition to being therapeutic for her in her own personal journey in the grief recovery process.
Recognizing the need and with great passion, Tammy founded Teuby Continued (dba 2B CONTINUED) in memory of her sister, Shelly “Teuby” Teubert in 2019 and serves as the organization’s Executive Director. Professionally, Tammy has been a nurse for the past 30 years and is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Minnesota State University, Mankato in the Student Health Services Clinic. She also enjoys quilting, motorcycling, attending the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and spending time with family (especially grandchildren!), and friends.
“Fighting the Darkness by Sharing Your Light”
About Chris:
Chris Hawkey is a true entertainer with a wide variety of outlets to connect with people across the Midwest. His primary role is co-host and producer of the Power Trip Morning Show – One of the most successful and highly radio talk radio shows in the United States.
In addition to the Power Trip, Hawkey is the producer of the Minnesota Vikings Radio Network for all of the team’s road games. Being in this role for 14 years seasons has allowed him to travel with the team to every stadium currently in use by the NFL.
When he’s not on the radio, Hawkey takes his talents to the stage singing with multiple bands – the Fabulous Armadillos, Rocket Club, the Chris Hawkey Band, plus an occasional solo acoustic performance. He has released 6 albums with the Chris Hawkey Band and an additional 5 with Rocket Club.
Hawkey loves to write and support local charities. He published his first novel “Possibilities Lined In Chalk” in 2020. A fictional story based in the early 1980s, “Possibilities Lined in Chalk” is a look back at life in a small midwestern town as seen through the eyes of a football obsessed teenager. He can also frequently be found hosting and lending his support to hundreds of charities around the Twin Cities helping raise millions of dollars for causes – with a focus on kids and mental health.In his free time, Hawk can be found exploring Minnesota on his motorcycle, enjoying live music, reading, and spending time with his friends and family.
Emcee
About PT:
Part of 102.9 “The WOLF” wake up crew, PT is the Founder of the LIVIN Foundation, a MN based nonprofit organization that works to promote mental health awareness & suicide prevention after personally dealing with depression due to the loss of his father to suicide. He believes that our culture needs to be more comfortable having conversations regarding mental illness, thus reducing the stigma associated with it. Their mission is to promote a positive outlook on life, reduce the stigma associated with depression, & ultimately prevent suicide through various activities, events, & outreach. To learn more, visit: www.livinfoundation.org.
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