Skip to main content
logo

Radiant Minds: Nurturing Mental Health for All - ATRA's Mental Health Virtual Summit 2024

ATRA Learning Platform/Virtual

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is excited to announce “Radiant Minds: Nurturing Mental Health for All” as the theme for the 2024 Virtual Summit. "Radiant Minds: Nurturing Mental Health for All" will allow you to discover the latest insights and strategies for promoting mental and behavioral health and well-being, fostering resilience, and enhancing mental health for individuals of all backgrounds.

This summit brings together practitioners, experts, caregivers, clients, advocates, and researchers to explore the diverse facets of mental health, share innovative approaches, and ignite discussions aimed at building a brighter, more inclusive future for mental wellness. Don't miss this opportunity to engage and join with thought leaders and practitioners toward radiant minds and thriving communities.

This virtual event will run February 1 - 29, 2024 on ATRA's virtual learning platform. Additional sessions may be added so please check back regularly to view the program. 

Say the Word: Suicide. Understanding How Recreation Therapy is Suicide Prevention

Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 8:00 AM–Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST
Virtual
Session Length

60 minutes

Description

Recreation Therapists provide individual and group programming in partial and inpatient psychiatric hospitalization settings throughout the country. Activity based programming is commonly described as life skills education, emotions management, experiential learning, dialectical behavior therapy, adventure programming and activity therapy etc.

This presentation explores the power of language and the importance of reframing the clinical approach of treatment planning, programming and advocacy by the Recreational Therapist. This session will educate RT professionals on how to utilize informed suicide prevention language when providing services to individuals who are experiencing suicidal idation. 

Focus of Presentation
Intervention/treatment modality
Consumer perspective
Education
Legislation/Advocacy
Learning Outcomes

1. Explain and describe the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. 

2. Identify 3 specific connections between Recreational Therapy programming and suicide prevention.

3. Identify 3 advocacy approaches to promote the Recreational Therapy scope of practice within inpatient and partial hospitalization programs. 

Presenter

[photo]
Stephen C Wheeler, Grounded Therapy Network
Biographical Statement

Steve Wheeler has been a Recreational Therapist since 2012, receiving his degree from Central Michigan University. He has since worked in a variety of settings, including home and community, inpatient/partial psychiatric hospitals, physical medicine & rehabilitation, Michigan Department of Corrections Prison Facilities, and K-12 education settings. He served as Clinical Program Manager & Community Education Specialist for the Universal Health Services facility, Cedar Creek Hospital of Michigan, where he transformed 'Activity Therapy' Services to specifically provide suicide prevention programming through recreation therapy. Steve also holds his Professional Counselor and School Counselor Licenses in the state of Michigan. He is the owner of Grounded Therapy Network, providing school consultation, community education, Recreation Therapy & Professional Counseling services.

Head Shot

Co-Presenters

Collaborators

Loading…