2024 Journeys Magazine

Community Education

Skyland Trail experts help amplify the conversation about mental health by partnering with employers, mental health professionals, and other community partners.

2024 Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture: Building Resilience

On Monday, May 13, 2024, Skyland Trail hosted the 13th annual Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Series at the Atlanta History Center. The lecture, titled “Building Resilience: Strategies for Navigating Stress and Cultivating Strength,” explored the nature of resilience through visual models, personal stories and an expert panel discussion. Keynote speaker Dr. Ungar spoke on his model of resilience, which emphasizes the importance of external as well as internal supports to improve the outcomes of individuals who have experienced adversity. According to Dr. Ungar, the presence of a multiple-faceted support system increases the resilience of an individual and gives them a greater ability to cope with the stressors in their lives, especially in their youth.

Keynote Presentation: Michael Ungar, PhD, a resilience expert as well as the Founder and Director of the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University

Panelists:

  • Tera Carter, CPS, WHMC, Skyland Trail Alumni Coordinator
  • Linda Grabbe, PhD, Emory University School of Nursing Professor Emeritus
  • Ben Hunter, MD, Skyland Trail Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer
Four adult expert panelists sit on stage for Q&A
Tera Carter, CPS, WHMC; Ben Hunter, MD, FAPA; Linda Grabbe, PhD; Michael Ungar, PhD

The lecture series honors the late Dorothy Chapman Fuqua, former board member and benefactor of Skyland Trail, and is made possible by Duvall and Rex Fuqua and Edwina and Tom Johnson in honor of Mrs. Fuqua.

Mental Health Presentations

Skyland Trail in the Community

The word "hello" created with flowers on the sidewalk.
Community partnerships are a great way to spread awareness about mental health. Skyland Trail horticultural therapist Marisol Clark, HTR led a workshop for Cobb County school district teaching them how to infuse horticultural therapy in their counseling.
Four adults in chairs on a stage for a panel discussion about mental health.
Beth Finnerty, Skyland Trail President & CEO, participated on a behavioral health panel at the Georgia Rotary District 6900 conference.
Dr. Ben Hunter stands by screen displaying slides from his presentation on narcissism
Ben Hunter, MD, FAPA, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer presented on Narcissism in the Age of i: The Search for Self-Esteem at the 2024 NATSAP Annual Conference in Orlando.
Beth Finnerty participated in a mental health panel discussion at the Womens Network of Serenbe.
Beth Finnerty participated in a mental health panel discussion at the Womens Network of Serenbe.

DID YOU KNOW?  More than 3,400 people attended educational events hosted by Skyland Trail or with a Skyland Trail speaker in 2022.