Agenda and Speakers

What if the answer isn’t out there but already in the room?

In a time where we’ve been trained to look to programs, policies, and institutions as the solution, this keynote calls us back to a deeper truth: people are the resource.

Creating Self-Healing Communities is not just a message; it is an awakening. It challenges the assumption that healing must be outsourced and instead invites participants to recognize the power already embedded within their own lives, stories, and relationships.

Jevon Billups draws from his work at the intersection of faith, mental health, and community to confront the realities of trauma, disconnection, and survival, and then shifts the lens toward possibility, responsibility, and collective healing. This experience pushes beyond information into transformation, calling individuals and communities to move from passive participation to active cultivation of spaces where people can be seen, supported, and restored.

This is not about adding another program. This is about becoming the answer we’ve been waiting for.

Learning Objectives

Participants will leave with:

1. A renewed understanding that healing is not just received, but it is carried and shared.
2. A deeper awareness of how their presence, story, and voice can shift environments.
3. A personal charge to help cultivate spaces where people don’t just survive but truly become whole.

Rev. Jevon Billups (he/him) is a community leader, mental health educator, and thought partner in building healthier, more responsive communities. He serves as the Vice President and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the DC Baptist Convention, supporting over 160 congregations across the National Capital Region and equipping leaders with practical tools to address real-life mental health and wellness challenges with clarity, compassion, and competence. In addition to his community leadership, Jevon is the Senior Pastor of Dominion Life Center and leads The Hope Center, a growing digital community focused on connection, personal growth, and whole-person well-being. His work consistently extends beyond traditional spaces, meeting people where they are and helping to create environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered. A nationally recognized Master Trainer in Mental Health First Aid, Jevon has trained thousands of individuals, including educators, first responders, faith leaders, and community members, equipping them with practical skills to support those experiencing mental and emotional challenges. His approach is known for bridging sectors and translating complex concepts into tools that are accessible, actionable, and human-centered. Jevon’s work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief that healthy communities are built when people are equipped to support one another. He is also a proud father of five, including four children and a bonus son, and is deeply committed to building a legacy through impact in both family and community.

• Veterans Fireside Chat: Stories of Hope and Recovery

  This fireside chat shares powerful, real-life stories of hope, healing, and recovery related to mental health and suicide. In an intimate, moderated conversation, diverse Veterans from different branches will reflect on how they knew it was time to seek help, the barriers they faced, and what recovery looks like for them today. Grounded in research showing that recovery narratives can reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking, this session highlights that you are not alone, help is available, and hope is possible.

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe at least two ways that hearing stories of recovery from fellow Service Members and Veterans can reduce stigma around mental health and suicide.
  2. Identify at least two resources for help, including 988 and local or military and community-based supports, that they or a loved one can access in a time of need.
  3. Articulate one or more personal takeaways about what recovery can look like and how to recognize when it may be time to seek help for themselves, a battle buddy, or a family member.

   

   

• Trevor CARE Training
  Johanna Miller and Morgan Tutt

  This interactive training provides an overview of suicide among LGBTQ+ people and the different environmental stressors that contribute to their heightened risk for suicide. Trevor CARE combines research, best practice recommendations, and practical steps for reducing the risk of suicide and promoting resiliency.

  Learning Objectives

  After participating in this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the services offered by The Trevor Project and how young people can access them.
  2. Discuss the challenges facing LGBTQ+ folks in their home, school, and other environments.
  3. Explain the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.
  4. Describe how to respond to a person who is at risk for suicide and connect them to appropriate resources.
  5. Explain how to create supportive environments that promote resiliency and decrease the risk for suicide.
  

  Johanna Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience providing individual, group, and family therapy, supervising mental health clinicians, and supporting staff and consumers through training and programmatic change. She has extensive experience working with trauma survivors and is proficient in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Johanna spent 13 years volunteering with Glisten Baltimore, where she provided workshops to youth and K-12 staff with the goal of increasing school safety and was recently certified as a Trevor Project Trainer. In addition to operating a private practice, Johanna is Director of New Program Development and Clinical Training for Catholic Charities Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinics, where she has used her knowledge to support the development of a more trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ responsive agency.

  

  Morgan Tutt is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Mental Health Response Program Specialist with the Maryland State Department of Education, bringing over a decade of experience in clinical mental health and education. She partners with local education agencies to strengthen school-based mental and behavioral health systems through consultation, crisis response, and professional development. Morgan specializes in trauma-informed practices and training design, having trained more than 4,000 professionals statewide and developed over 30 customized programs. Her work is grounded in data-informed strategy and a commitment to making mental health care more accessible and responsive for youth. She previously served as a school therapist with Prince George’s County Public Schools and holds licenses in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Morgan is also a Certified Master Instructor in Mental Health First Aid and a certified trauma and ACEs trainer.

• Building Pathways to Mental Health Equity for Youth and Families
  Dr. Kiara Álvarez

  This session examines how structural inequities, racism, and social determinants of health shape the mental health and well-being of youth and families, and how these inequities contribute to suicide risk, particularly in historically marginalized communities. Drawing on research, community partnerships, and real-world examples, Dr. Kiara Álvarez will highlight strategies for building more equitable pathways to mental health and suicide prevention care, including culturally responsive services, youth and family voice in program design, health equity impact assessment, and cross-sector collaboration. Participants will be encouraged to share examples from their own work to build a shared understanding of locally relevant strategies. Participants will leave with concrete ideas for advancing mental health equity and strengthening suicide prevention efforts in their own settings and communities.

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe at least two ways structural inequities and social determinants of health contribute to mental health and suicide related disparities among youth and families.
  2. Identify at least three strategies to promote mental health equity and suicide prevention, such as culturally responsive practices, family and youth engagement, and community-based approaches to care.
  3. Name at least two actionable changes they can pursue within their role or organization to reduce barriers and build more equitable pathways to mental health and suicide prevention support for young people and their families.
  

  Kiara Álvarez, PhD, is a Bloomberg Associate Professor of American Health in Adolescent Health in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is a health services researcher and licensed psychologist whose work focuses on mental health equity for adolescents and young adults. Alvarez also holds a joint appointment in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She has particular interests in the prevention of youth suicidal behavior, the mental health and well-being of Latinx and immigrant youth and their families, and the integration of behavioral health care across clinical and community settings serving youth.

• From Silence to Support: Building a Culture of Men’s Mental Health
  Dr. Kevin Roy

  Men’s mental health continues to be shaped by stigma, social expectations, and limited pathways for support. This session brings together insights from research, practice, and community engagement to explore how masculinity, relationships, and systems influence how men and boys experience and respond to mental health challenges.

  Designed for professionals across sectors, this session will move beyond awareness to action, offering practical strategies to better engage men in conversations around mental health. Participants will explore how to foster trust, strengthen connections, and create environments where men feel supported, understood, and empowered to seek help.

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Examine how societal norms and expectations influence men’s mental health and help-seeking behaviors.
  2. Identify effective strategies to engage men and boys in meaningful mental health conversations.
  3. Apply practical approaches to create supportive environments that encourage help-seeking and connection.

• Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training
  Naeemah Staggs

  MHS QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives yearly, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and question, persuade, and refer someone to help.

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Increase awareness of stigma and understand suicide as a public health issue.
  2. Learn how to recognize someone at risk for suicide and how to Question, Persuade and Refer them.
  3. Learn how to access local and national referral resources to offer hope and save a life.
  

  Naeemah Staggs, MHS, is a professional educator, coach, and trainer with over 20 years of experience in child and family wellbeing. A former licensed counselor, Naeemah is now a Senior Training Specialist at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she provides preservice and in-service training for Maryland’s child welfare workforce. Naeemah is also a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor and serves as a training consultant for multiple organizations, including several Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, EveryMind, and Darkness to Light. Naeemah is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist who holds a Master of Human Services (MHS) degree and a certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Frostburg State University. A native Washingtonian, Naeemah is also a published children’s book author. She resides in Anne Arundel County with her husband and 11-year-old daughter.

• Roadmap to Self-Care
  Marcie Gibbons, LCSW-C and Rev. Jevon Billups

  Roadmap to Self-Care helps participants define what self-care really means for them, why it matters for their mental health, and how to recognize early warning signs of stress and burnout. Drawing on the Roadmap to Self-Care framework, this interactive session moves beyond one-size-fits-all tips to help attendees identify practical, realistic ways to care for their emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being in everyday life. Participants will leave with a personalized self-care roadmap and concrete, achievable next steps they can begin using right away. 

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Define self-care in their own words and identify at least two reasons it is essential for their mental health and overall well-being.
  2. Recognize at least three personal warning signs of stress or burnout and link each sign to one specific self-care response.
  3. Create a personalized self-care roadmap that includes at least three realistic, daily or weekly actions to support their emotional, physical, and social well-being.
  

  Marcie Gibbons, LCSW-C, is a clinical social worker and Hub Coordinator with the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency and is Co-Chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition for Anne Arundel County. Her social work experience started at the beginning of the HIV pandemic. Marcie worked in prevention as a street outreach worker, in acute care and hospice settings, providing social work assessment, education, and planning in an interdisciplinary setting. She worked with adolescents and family members in a high school setting and has a private practice focused on grief, loss and life transitions. Marcie is a trainer for Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training and the Adolescent Depression Program, focusing on adolescent wellness, treatment and resilience. She is also a national trainer for Mental Health First Aid (Adults, Youth and Teens).

  

  Rev. Jevon Billups (he/him) is a community leader, mental health educator, and thought partner in building healthier, more responsive communities. He serves as the Vice President and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the DC Baptist Convention, supporting over 160 congregations across the National Capital Region and equipping leaders with practical tools to address real-life mental health and wellness challenges with clarity, compassion, and competence. In addition to his community leadership, Jevon is the Senior Pastor of Dominion Life Center and leads The Hope Center, a growing digital community focused on connection, personal growth, and whole-person well-being. His work consistently extends beyond traditional spaces, meeting people where they are and helping to create environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered. A nationally recognized Master Trainer in Mental Health First Aid, Jevon has trained thousands of individuals, including educators, first responders, faith leaders, and community members, equipping them with practical skills to support those experiencing mental and emotional challenges. His approach is known for bridging sectors and translating complex concepts into tools that are accessible, actionable, and human-centered. Jevon’s work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief that healthy communities are built when people are equipped to support one another. He is also a proud father of five, including four children and a bonus son, and is deeply committed to building a legacy through impact in both family and community.

As the closing conversation of the summit, this panel invites participants to reflect, connect, and carry forward the day’s most powerful insights. Grounded in the theme Embracing Experiences that Center Communities, this discussion explores how we foster meaningful conversations about mental health across diverse communities.

Panelists will examine the role of cultural humility, lived experience, and community partnerships in shaping how we understand and respond to mental health and suicide prevention. Through honest dialogue, this session creates space for discovery, empathy, and the courage to engage in conversations that are often difficult but necessary.

Participants will leave feeling more equipped to listen deeply, engage across differences, and take intentional steps toward building more connected, responsive, and community-centered communities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Define cultural humility and its role in shaping how mental health is understood and addressed across different communities.
2. Strengthen their ability to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health with empathy, openness, and respect for different lived experiences.
3. Identify practical ways to build and sustain community partnerships that support connected, community-centered approaches to healing and suicide prevention.