Co-Occurring Disorders: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Conference on mental illness and substance use disorder bringing together researchers, treatment providers and people with lived experience.
About this Event

Co-occurring Disorders: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Across the Lifespan

Organized by Prescription for Progress and hosted by the University at Albany, the event brings together stakeholders from treatment, education, law enforcement, research and other sectors to share information about how the crisis affects our communities.

The discussion will open with a focus on teenagers and young adults, looking at the ways in which their mental health struggles may be compounded by substance use disorders. As the morning progresses, presenters will move through a timeline of the ways in which adults and older populations are affected by co-occurring disorders.

Coffee and pastries offered starting at 8:00am. Lunch and networking 12:30pm-1:30pm.

KEYNOTE:

Stephanie Marquesano, founder and president of the Harris Project, will share the journey of her son, Harris Blake Marquesano, who struggled with co-occurring disorders and died by accidental overdose at the age of 19. She’ll speak about the multiple times in his young life when appropriate intervention might have helped. The Harris Project, which is based in New York State is the only non-profit dedicated to the prevention and treatment of co-occurring disorders by providing opportunities to increase understanding, raise awareness, and transform the system of care to meet the needs of those with co-occurring disorders.

SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS:

• Karen Choens, New York State Office of Mental Health
• Christina Hatten, New York State Office of Mental Health
• Lorena Rucaj, Westchester County Department of Mental Health
• Melissa Tracy PhD, University at Albany
• Heather Thorpe LCSW-R, Northern Rivers Family of Services
• Tomoko Udo PhD, University at Albany
• Matthew VanTassel CRPA, Youth Clubhouses of Columbia & Greene Counties MHACG

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This event welcomes Prescription for Progress members and anyone whose work or life has been impacted by addiction or mental health challenges. We are especially calling on community leaders from every sector to join us in breaking down silos and building bridges across industries.

Ideal attendees include:

• Health care professionals across the continuum (prehospital, in-hospital, primary care, behavioral health, and recovery services)

• Educators from K-12 schools and higher education

• Large employers in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors

• Law enforcement officers and public safety personnel

• Lawmakers, regulators, and policy advocates

• Individuals living in recovery, certified peer recovery coaches, and advocates working to support healing and resilience

• Faith leaders, church organizers, and spiritual care providers

• Community educators, activists, and grassroots organizers

• Local government officials, tribal leaders, and regional coalitions

• Anyone committed to advancing solutions, sharing knowledge, and driving change

This is not just a seat at the table—it’s a call to action. If you're ready to connect, share, and lead forward, we want you there.

Admission for the daylong event will be $10 with a boxed lunch included for all attendees.

Stakeholders who cannot pay the admission cost can apply for a scholarship by writing to [email protected]