Southeast Tech to launch multiyear series addressing mental health

This event listing is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

Southeast Technical College is launching a multiyear initiative around expanding mental health awareness, partnerships and support.

Breakthrough: A Convergence on Mental Health is supported by the Seed for Success Foundation and will kick off Nov. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a free program at the Washington Pavilion’s Belbas Theater.

The evening will feature keynote presentations from nationally recognized experts Dr. Ethan Kross and Dr. Jody Carrington, who will offer a fresh perspective on resilience, connection and emotional well-being.

Kross is a leading psychologist and bestselling author. His book, “Shift: Managing Your Emotions — So They Don’t Manage You,” will shape his keynote with science-backed strategies to help people manage emotions, reduce stress and harness the power of the mind for better health, performance and relationships.

Carrington is a psychologist, author and globally recognized speaker. Her keynote, “The Power of Trust: The Key to Stronger Relationships and Leadership,” explores why trust is the foundation of connection, collaboration and leadership — and offers practical ways to build, repair and strengthen it across all areas of life.

The event is designed for industry professionals and community members — especially those in health care, behavioral health, education faculty and administration, law enforcement, emergency services such as volunteer fire departments, legal teams and other frontline fields such as the court system — who will attend alongside Southeast Tech faculty, staff and students.

“At Southeast Technical College, we know that education goes beyond the classroom — it’s about preparing students and responding as a community to the challenges and opportunities of the real world,” President Cory Clasemann said.

“The Convergence on Mental Health series reflects that commitment by bringing nationally recognized experts, industry partners and our community together to have meaningful conversations about well-being. These events will not only support our students’ success but also strengthen our role as a collaborative partner in building a healthier, more resilient workforce and community.”

Attendees will leave the event “with both the internal tools to manage their own mental health and the relational tools to build supportive, authentic connections,” he added.

“It’s essentially a road map for breakthrough moments in both their personal well-being and community belonging.”

Southeast Tech offers a behavioral and mental health technician associate degree program.

Tickets for A Convergence on Mental Health can be secured for free at southeasttech.edu/breakthrough.