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CANCELLED: Mental Health Expert to Discuss Recovery Goals for Severely Mentally Ill

May 11, 2016 | 5:48 PM

UPDATE from Thursday morning: The learning sessions with an American mental health expert at the Coast Hotel on Thursday has been cancelled due to medical reasons.

LETHBRIDGE – The Mental Health Promotion Committee of Southern Alberta is bringing Doctor Mark Ragins to our city for a pair of learning sessions Thursday (May 12).

The California based physician is known for his client centered approach to treating people with severe mental health issues.

Committee Chair and Addiction and Mental Health Manager with Alberta Health Services, Tracy Harvey, noted that Dr. Ragins has more than 25-years of ongoing clinical work to draw from.

“He works with people with complex mental health and addictions issues, so he’s going to talk about making recovery realistic and how all of us can work together to help people recover from both mental health and addictions issues,” explained Harvey.

The first session is geared towards professionals and will run from 9-am to 4-pm, with an evening session aimed at the general public.

“Both mental health and addictions issues impact a large number of family members, friends, coworkers, employers, neighbours, concerned others,” stated Harvey. “It’s always helpful for people to have a little bit more awareness around mental health issues, as well as how they can support their loved ones.”

The evening session costs $5 and you can register at the door. It runs from 6:30 to 7:30-pm at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel, with the doors opening at 6:00-pm.