Led by psychiatrist and mental health leader Glenda Wrenn Gordon and her 22-year-old son, this interactive workshop explores how family members can best navigate serious mental illness and substance use recovery together. The session centers on partnership, communication, and sustainability.

The presenters will discuss communication strategies that support trust, dignity, and collaboration. Participants will hear about what worked, what didn’t, and how communication evolved as recovery progressed. The workshop will also highlight self-care as a foundation for wellness. Finally, the presenters will discuss how families can advocate effectively while preserving relationships and supporting autonomy.

Attendees will be invited join interactive activities addressing common dynamics between individuals living with mental health conditions and their caregivers. Participants will acquire concrete tools and a deeper appreciation for collaboration in the recovery journey.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify communication strategies that support collaboration and trust during acute mental health crises and throughout long-term recovery
2. Apply practical self-care tools, including a personal Sabbath framework, to support sustained wellness for both individuals and caregivers
3. Practice responding to common caregiver and family communication challenges through guided role play and reflection
4. Describe effective advocacy approaches for navigating the mental health and substance use treatment systems while maintaining dignity, autonomy, and relational health