3rd Annual “You Matter” Summit

Barrow County has one of the highest suicide rates in Georgia and one of the lowest rates of mental health providers. Barrow County School System, in partnership with Barrow County Family Connection and Northeast Georgia Health System, is hosting the 3rd Annual You Matter Summit on March 5 and 6th, 2020. 

Approximately 68% of adults have experienced some form of trauma before the age of 25. By providing free and/or low cost training, the You Matter Summit is aimed at reducing incidents of suicide and building a trauma-informed community. The goal is to increase local training and learning opportunities for professionals in the community who work with individuals exposed to trauma. Over 300 professionals have registered for this training from Barrow, Jackson, Athens-Clarke, Walton and Hall Counties.

The 2020 You Matter Summit will feature Dr. Eric Gentry both days of the event. Dr. Gentry is an internationally recognized leader in the field of disaster and clinical traumatology, having trained thousands of professionals and paraprofessionals worldwide in the treatment of traumatic stress. 

Day 1: Forward Facing Professional Resiliency & Compassion Fatigue

The first day of the summit is targeted to first responders and behavioral health professionals, as well as anyone who serves individuals who have experienced trauma. Dr. Gentry will define Secondary Trauma, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue, and participants will learn techniques for healing and prevention tools. These include: improving the therapeutic relationship, relaxation, “telling of the story,” changing perceptions in the work place, enhancing the immune system and our stimulus response, self-regulation, intentionality, perceptual maturation, self-validation, improving connection and support, and self-care/revitalization.  

Day 2: Forward Facing Trauma Therapy

The second day of the You Matter Summit was created for behavioral health professionals. Dr. Gentry will explain how Forward Facing Trauma is a method that can be used alongside other therapy methods and medication to optimize therapy, develop coping skills and resilience, and create safety and stabilization for those dealing with pain associated with trauma. Participants will learn about building a therapeutic relationship, creating positive expectancy, and ANS response, teaching self-regulation through introspection and acute relaxation, and strutting international morality. Applying Forward Facing Trauma Therapy leads to optimizing, coping and resiliency, and safety and stabilization.

This year, our event graphics features a semicolon. The Semicolon Movement is a suicide prevention initiative that emphasizes inspiration and hope. Founded in 2013, the movement’s aim is “presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury,” and encourages others with, “Your story isn’t over yet.”

The Summit will be held at Bethlehem Church at 548 Christmas Ave Hwy 11 N, Bethlehem, GA 30620 on March 5 and 6th, 2020 from 8:00am-4:30pm.

Thank you to the sponsors supporting this important event: Northeast Georgia Hospital System, Project Family, Pathways Transitional Programs, Social Empowerment Center, Barrow Family Connection, and Bethlehem Church.  

Please visit the website for more information on the summit:
https://www.youmatterbarrow.wordpress.com/