United Means Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Well being & Drug Prevention, in partnership with the Broward Behavioral Well being Coalition (BBHC) and the Florida Division of Kids and Households (DCF), efficiently hosted the eleventh Annual South Florida Behavioral Well being Convention: The Energy of Prevention, held Might 27-28, 2026, at The Diplomat Seashore Resort in Hollywood. The 2-day Convention introduced collectively practically 1,000 clinicians, policymakers, educators, prevention specialists, group leaders, and behavioral well being professionals from throughout Florida and past to discover modern approaches to prevention, therapy, restoration, and psychological wellness.
The Convention featured nationally acknowledged keynote audio system together with Kevin Hines, a globally famend suicide prevention advocate; Ryan Jenkins, management futurist and bestselling writer; Allan Kehler, psychological well being advocate and addictions counselor; and Rick Griffin, neuroscience educator and founding father of the Neuro Management Academy. By means of keynote shows, workshops, and persevering with schooling periods, attendees examined vital matters together with trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, workforce growth, resilience, built-in care fashions, and behavioral well being insurance policies. The Grasp of Ceremonies was CEO and Founding father of Vanessa James Media, Vanessa James.
“The Energy of Prevention is greater than this yr’s theme; it’s a reminder that investing in prevention, early intervention, and group help creates more healthy outcomes for people, households, and communities,” mentioned Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Means Broward. “The unimaginable turnout and engagement from professionals throughout the behavioral well being area demonstrated our collective dedication to enhancing entry to care and strengthening the behavioral well being system all through South Florida.”
As a part of the Convention, a number of excellent leaders had been acknowledged for his or her contributions to behavioral well being, prevention, and group wellness initiatives. Heather Geronemus, Vice President, Belonging & Affect at UKG, obtained the Paul E. Daly Champion for Prevention Award; David Scharf, Govt Director Group Applications for the Broward Sheriff’s Workplace, was honored with the Group Trailblazer Award; and Silvia Quintana, CEO of Broward Behavioral Well being Coalition (BBHC), obtained the Legacy of Care Award for her lasting impression on behavioral well being and group well-being.
The Convention additionally strengthened the significance of making certain residents know the place to show for assist. A whole lot of free behavioral well being, substance use prevention, disaster intervention, and restoration assets can be found all through Broward County and could be accessed by dialing 211 for community-based help companies or 988 for instant psychological well being disaster help.
