Mental health conference

A conference on Eliminating Mental Health and Addiction Disparities in Connecticut and Beyond will take place in Rome Ballroom on Tuesday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The event, which is intended for researchers, physicians, public health practitioners, social workers, community agencies, and students, is organized by the Connecticut Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos.

Felipe Gonzalez Castro of Arizona State University will deliver a keynote address on “Acculturation, Drug Abuse, and Mental Disorder in Latino Populations: Current Knowledge, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions.”

Thomas Kirk Jr., Commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, will give a keynote address titled, “Culture? Healthcare Disparities? So what?”

Other topics to be discussed include epidemiology and determinants of mental health and addiction; DNA-guided medicine, mental illness, and advancing personalized healthcare among the Hispanic population; gender disparities in mental health and addiction; and building culturally competent programs.

Registration is free, and lunch will be provided.

To register, visit the Conference section of the Center’s web site.