Mental Health Conference Celebrates Our Frontline Workers

Imagine if they hadn’t been there, these people whose careers were deemed “essential” to preserving our health, our economy, our country, our lives, during the COVID-19 pandemic—arguably the greatest health crisis of our time.

Imagine our world without these people. Now, two years into the pandemic, workers on the front lines of COVID-19 continue to risk their lives to protect our community and loved ones.

But while they are caring for us, who is caring for them?

Dedication and excellence incur costs that can’t be seen on a ledger. And our frontline workers have paid dearly. Mental and behavioral health issues such as stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and thoughts of suicide are at record levels.

That’s why Healthy Lee Behavioral Health is proud to announce “Mental Health on the Frontlines,” a conference designed to recognize and celebrate our frontline workers as well as explore ways our community can ease the mental and behavioral health challenges facing frontline workers.

• Keynote speaker: Nicole Navega, EMS Crew Support, Fort Myers Public Safety Office. Navega will discuss the roles of frontline workers and the mental and behavioral health challenges their professions pose. She will also moderate a discussion between leaders of different industries that explores ways to improve training and support services for secondary traumatic stress.
• Panel discussion: Frontline workers will share their experiences with trauma and PTSD as well as their ongoing challenges and victories.
• Building Organizational Resilience: Law enforcement veterans Bill Mazur and Joe Collins will present on the mental and behavioral health issues challenging frontline workers. They will discuss how frontline worker agencies can improve. A Q&A session will take place after the presentation.
  • Bill Mazur, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, retired from the Atlantic City, NJ police department at the rank of deputy chief of police. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #256, and currently serves as a master instructor with the FBI National Academy Associates in the Comprehensive Officer Resiliency Training Program.
  • Joe Collins, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His appointments include past president of the Wisconsin FBI National Academy Association, co-chair of the FBI National Academy Associated Safety & Wellness Committee.
• Closing remarks: Dr. Paul Simeone, vice president/medical director for Behavioral Health at Lee Health, will offer an inspirational message for the future.

This educational and insightful event will offer networking opportunities for participants who want to speak with the presenters, organizational leaders, various social agencies, peer support group specialists, and representatives from many other community resources.

Sponsorships are available for the conference. For more information, contact Lauren.Walker@LeeHealth.org or visit HealthyLee. 

Learn more and register for the event HERE