E7 - The Power of We: Inspiring Partnerships in a Rural System of Care

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT

Location: 503

Discover how Niagara County, New York is transforming rural mental health care through creative outreach, youth engagement, and strategic partnerships to enhance collaborations and connection. This session will showcase tools like the WellNiagara and a youth-focused evidenced-based app, innovative messaging campaigns, and community-based education efforts. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for integrating technology, art, and local collaboration into their own systems of care. Learn how small towns can spark big change—one conversation, flyer, and coffee sleeve at a time.

Learning Objectives:

Identify at least three creative outreach approaches—such as branded coffee sleeves, pizza box flyers, and public art—that can be adapted to increase mental health awareness in rural communities.
Analyze how mobile and web-based applications can be used to can enhance access to care and resource navigation for both youth and adults in underserved areas.
Identify strategies to engage nontraditional partners (e.g., state parks, vocational schools, and small businesses) to strengthen suicide prevention messaging and promote inclusive, client-centered care within rural systems of care.

Disclosure(s):

Myrla Gibbons Doxey, MA LMFT-D: No financial relationships to disclose

Connie Desmarais, MA: No financial relationships to disclose

Breakout Presenter(s)

Myrla C. Gibbons Doxey, MA LMFT-D

Deputy Director
Niagara County Dept. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Lockport, New York

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Connie Desmarais, MA

Community Coalition Coordinator
Niagara County Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Lockport, New York

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose