Morning Plenary (10:30-11:55 am)

Catholic Charities Ashland County's Pathways Peer Support Program provides recovery-oriented groups and programming that promotes positive relationships and coping skills. Pathways emphasizes each individual's strengths and encourage engagement with other peers to provide support. Pathways will offer a brief presentation and overview of the program and the importance of peers.

Dr. Joanna Moncrieff studied medicine at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, qualifying in 1989. Dr. Moncrieff trained in psychiatry in London and the southeast during the 1990s. During her undergraduate years, she conducted research on parents’ fears about substance misuse, and during the course of her psychiatry training, she worked on a trial investigating the use of the drug naltrexone in people with alcohol problems. Dr. Moncrieff also investigated the prevalence of previous sexual abuse among people attending alcohol treatment services.

Dr. Moncrieff took up her current post in 2001. For 10 years, she was a consultant for a psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient unit, helping people with severe and long-lasting mental health problems. For the last 3 years, she has been based in various community mental health services in Northeast London. Dr. Moncrieff teaches and conducts research at University College London.

Dr. Moncrieff is one of the founding members and the co-chairperson of the Critical Psychiatry Network. The Critical Psychiatry Network consists of a group of psychiatrists from around the world who are skeptical of the idea that mental disorders are simply brain diseases and of the dominance of the pharmaceutical industry.

Amy joined Disability Rights Ohio as an Advocate on the Abuse and Neglect team in April 2019. In October of 2019 she was promoted to Team Leader of the Abuse and Neglect Team. In September of 2020 her role further expanded to include the position of Associate Advocacy Director. In June of 2021 Amy also assumed responsibilities for the PAIMI Advisory Council and associated grant reporting.

Amy has extensive experience in nonprofit executive-level leadership and management. She possesses 30 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field, including 10 years of shelter and street-based outreach work to individuals experiencing homelessness. She has held leadership positions at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, where she served as the Chief of Client Rights & Community Supports, and at a number of local nonprofit and behavioral health agencies in Columbus, Ohio. Amy is an alumna of the United Way of Central Ohio’s Pride Leadership Program and the Mental Health Executive Leadership Program at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. She possesses a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt in operational excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University. Amy is a licensed independent social worker with supervisory endorsement in the State of Ohio. She has served on United Way of Central Ohio’s Pride Council Steering Committee and Women’s Leadership Council. Amy has also served on the Board of Directors for Columbus Coalition for the Homeless and Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition. Amy is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Being called to serve, Amy is grateful to be a part of Disability Rights Ohio. Disability rights work has brought her back to her professional roots, amplifies her core values, and inspires her every day to help change the narrative towards disability justice.

Rob Wipond is a freelance journalist who writes frequently on the interfaces between psychiatry, civil rights, policing, surveillance and privacy, and social change. His articles have been nominated for 17 magazine and journalism awards for writing in medicine, science and technology, business, and law. He has taught journalism and creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University, and also works and volunteers with nonprofit groups that do neighborhood community building. He is the author of the book Your Consent Is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment, and Abusive Guardianships is forthcoming (BenBella, 2023).

Rob Wipond is a freelance journalist who writes frequently on the interfaces between psychiatry, civil rights, policing, surveillance and privacy, and social change. His articles have been nominated for 17 magazine and journalism awards for writing in medicine, science and technology, business, and law. He has taught journalism and creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University, and also works and volunteers with nonprofit groups that do neighborhood community building. He is the author of the book Your Consent Is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment, and Abusive Guardianships is forthcoming (BenBella, 2023).

Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW
Jonda has 30+ years of experience in the social services field. Jonda has worked in the health, mental health, disability, and homeless & housing fields. Jonda has her Masters of Education in Social Agency Counseling II from Dayton University. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University. Jonda is also a licensed social worker. Besides Jonda’s professional accomplishments, she is in recovery for major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jim Mooney, MD is a trauma informed medical provider of Internal Medicine who has a particular interest in the impact of emotional health on chronic medical problems. His 30 years of practice in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, hospice, administration, and community outreach has developed his perspective on care. He believes that the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study could serve as the foundation of understanding chronic disease.

Jonda has 30+ years of experience in the social services field. Jonda has worked in the health, mental health, disability, and homeless & housing fields. Jonda has her Masters of Education in Social Agency Counseling II from Dayton University. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University. Jonda is also a licensed social worker. Besides Jonda’s professional accomplishments, she is in recovery for major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Trish Risser has been involved in Peer Support for more than 20 years, and it is her passion. She is a Certified Peer Recovery Supporter. She is actively involved at Pathways, but also in the community providing a listening ear and service. Trish Risser is copresenting with Dr. James Mooney on the topic of collaborative vs. coercive care, and patient voice and choice.