Northeast Delta Human Services Authority's Executive Director Dr. Monteic A. Sizer's opening speech was entitled: "Saving the Soul of America."

NEDHSA welcomed more than 100 to its 2023 Faith Summit on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the University of Louisiana Monroe's Bayou Pointe Event Center. The theme for the Faith Summit was "Using Faith to Reduce Fear: My New Future."

This event was part of NEDHSA's Faith Partnership Initiatives to help spiritual leaders better understand the complexities and treatment options for those battling mental illness and addictions.

The Faith Summit featured four breakout sessions: "How Grief Impacts My Growth" by Kendra Edwards, LMSW, and Greg Terrell; "I'm a Leader; What Do I Do if Someone Talks About Suicide?" by Joyce Hendricks, M. ED., and Tonja Myles, CPRS; "How To Save A Life: Knowing The Difference Between NARCAN and CPR" by Kara Etienne, LMSW, and Cesar Gonzales, MD; "How To Pour Back Into Those Who Pour Out" by Dr. Martha Phillips, DNP-APRN and Kaliyah Dunmore, Peer Support Specialist.

The Faith Summit featured several industry vendors, and a pastoral panel on the subject of, “How To Practice What We Preach” moderated by Pastor Andy Smith. The panelists were: Pastor Jerry Baldwin, New Living Word Ministries; Apostle Tammy Mims Hopkins, Bread of Life Christian Ministries; Billy Ledford, LCSW, NEDHSA Clinical Supervisor; Pastor Justin Nowlin, NRP, Faith Chapel Pentecostal Church; Pastor John Russell, II, Greater New Antioch Baptist Church, and; Pastor Shiketra May White, Kingdom Invasion Outreach Ministry and Kweens of the Round Table.

NEDHSA's Faith Summit Panel:

Apostle Tammy Mims Hopkins - Billy Ledford, LCSW, Pastor Justin Nowlin, Pastor Shiketra May White,

Pastor Jerry Baldwin, Pastor John Louis Russell, II, and Pastor Andy Smith

Peer Counselor Tonja Myles, a subject matter expert in mental health, substance abuse, and untreated trauma served as the featured speaker of NEDHSA's 2023 Faith Summit. She shared her life story and how the church was unprepared for the challenges she faced. But now, she's pushing HOPE to all through her lived experience and more.

24/7 Crisis Hotline for Mental Health & Addictive Disorders

800-256-2522

Developmental Disabilities Services

318-362-5188 | 318-362-3396

Northeast Delta Human Services Authority does not discriminate based upon age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, religion, political beliefs, veteran status, national origin, ability to pay, or any other non-merit factor.